Cell scientist to watch - Gaia Pigino.

Microtubule dynamics: 50 years after the discovery of tubulin and still going strong

Axonemal radial spokes

The radial spoke (RS) is a complex of at least 23 proteins that works as a mechanochemical transducer between the central-pair apparatus and the peripheral microtubule doublets in eukaryotic flagella and motile cilia. The RS contributes to the regulation of the activity of dynein motors, and thus to flagellar motility. Despite numerous biochemical, physiological and structural studies, the mech...

Electron-tomographic analysis of intraflagellar transport particle trains in situ

Intraflagellar transport (IFT) is the bidirectional movement of multipolypeptide particles between the ciliary membrane and the axonemal microtubules, and is required for the assembly, maintenance, and sensory function of cilia and flagella. In this paper, we present the first high-resolution ultrastructural analysis of trains of flagellar IFT particles, using transmission electron microscopy a...

Cryoelectron tomography of radial spokes in cilia and flagella

Radial spokes (RSs) are ubiquitous components in the 9 + 2 axoneme thought to be mechanochemical transducers involved in local control of dynein-driven microtubule sliding. They are composed of >23 polypeptides, whose interactions and placement must be deciphered to understand RS function. In this paper, we show the detailed three-dimensional (3D) structure of RS in situ in Chlamydomonas reinha...

Gaia theory : intimations for global environmental politics

Gaia theory, first proposed in 1970 by British chemist James Lovelock and later elaborated by microbiologist Lynn Margulis, has developed from a controversial hypothesis to a broadly accepted set of ideas about the relationships among Earth's physical, chemical and biological features. Gaia theory represents a creative synthesis that has emerged through and built upon reductionist science, view...