معرفی
Morgan DeSantis is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology at the University of Michigan, College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA). Her research focuses on understanding the mechanisms of microtubule-associated motor proteins, particularly dynein, and their roles in cellular cargo transport. She uses advanced techniques including single-molecule TIRF microscopy, live-cell fluorescence microscopy, and cryo-electron microscopy to study how motor proteins function and regulate their activities in cells. Her work also explores the link between motor protein dysfunction and neurodevelopmental diseases.
Dr. DeSantis earned her PhD from the University of Pennsylvania. Her lab, based in the Biological Sciences Building (Room 4210), is actively investigating the structural and dynamic interactions between motor proteins, their adaptors, and cellular components. Recent research highlights include studies on dynein activation mechanisms, HIV’s hijacking of dynein for transport, and the role of proteins like Ndel1 and KASH5 in regulating motor function.
Her teaching includes MCDB 600-002: Special Topics in MCDB, focusing on cutting-edge research in molecular and cellular biology. The lab’s findings contribute to broader understanding of cellular transport dynamics and potential therapeutic targets for motor protein-linked disorders.
