Margot Elizabeth Quinlan

Margot Elizabeth Quinlan is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of California Los Angeles, where she leads a research program focused on cytoskeletal dynamics and cellular mechanics. Her work bridges molecular biology, biophysics, and cell biology, with particular emphasis on actin filament organization and formin proteins.

Dr. Quinlan's educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology from University of Pennsylvania (2002)
• B.A. in Biology from Reed College (1991)

Her research interests center on cytoskeletal dynamics, particularly the role of formin proteins in actin polymerization and cellular organization. She has made significant contributions to understanding how formins regulate actin filament assembly in diverse cellular contexts including cardiomyocytes, neurons, and during bacterial infection. Her work employs sophisticated biochemical, biophysical, and cell biological approaches to dissect molecular mechanisms of cytoskeletal regulation.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals a consistent focus on formin proteins and their diverse roles across biological systems. Her research spans fundamental mechanisms of actin dynamics, implications for cardiac function, neuronal development, and pathogen-host interactions. She has developed important insights into how formins interact with other cytoskeletal components and how their activity is regulated through post-translational modifications.

Dr. Quinlan maintains an active research laboratory (Quinlan Lab) at UCLA, with publications spanning cell biology, microbiology, neuroscience, and developmental biology. Her work has established important connections between basic cytoskeletal mechanisms and physiological processes across multiple systems.