معرفی
George von Dassow is an Associate Professor of Biology at the University of Oregon's Oregon Institute of Marine Biology (OIMB), part of the College of Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on cell behavior in marine invertebrate embryos and larvae, particularly mechanisms of cytokinesis, Rho GTPase signaling, and cytoskeletal dynamics. He investigates how cells coordinate division and patterning during development, with a focus on sea urchins, jellyfish, and nemerteans. His work is funded by the NSF and involves collaborations with institutions like the University of Wisconsin and Friday Harbor Labs.
Research interests include embryonic cleavage plane specification, actomyosin contractility, and the role of microtubules in furrow positioning. He has pioneered studies on polar lobe formation, unilateral cleavage, and wound repair mechanisms. As a leader in the REU program at OIMB, he mentors undergraduate researchers, emphasizing hands-on marine biology training. His lab, shared with Svetlana Maslakova, explores developmental processes in diverse marine organisms, contributing to understanding evolutionary and mechanistic aspects of cell biology.
Publications span topics from Rho GTPase dynamics to larval predation strategies, with recent work highlighting cortical excitability and self-organized signaling circuits. He employs advanced microscopy and computational modeling to study cell division and morphogenesis, bridging molecular mechanisms with organismal development.
