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Don Cleveland, Ph.D.
Professor of Medicine, Neuroscience and Cellular and Molecular Medicine
Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research
9500 Gilman Drive, CMM-East, Room 3057
La Jolla, CA 92093-0670
office tel: 858-534-7811
lab tel: 858-534-7899 or 7894
Fax: 858-534-7659
Email: dcleveland@ucsd.edu
Lab Website: http://cmm.ucsd.edu/Lab_Pages/cleveland/ |
| Research Interests: Dr. Cleveland's laboratory has focused in two major directions.
Molecular genetics and cell biology of mammalian chromosome movement and spindle assembly during mitosis:
Our interests are in deciphering the mitotic checkpoint, major mechanism in mammals that insures delivery of every chromosome to each daughter cell during mitosis. We use in vitro extracts that can reproduce the cell cycle in vitro as well as gene targeted mice to identify the principles of chromosome segregation. A key aspect of this is defining "what is a centromere". We are using assembly of purified components and molecular genetics in cells and mice to define the nature of this mark.
Molecular genetics of axonal growth and motor neuron disease:
Using transgenic and gene targeted mice, the principles that support axonal growth are being identified as are ways in which errors in the scaffolding structure within axons lead to disease. Similar approaches are being used to determine mechanisms underlying the inherited forms of the most prominent adult motor neuron disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, the hallmark of which is the selective death of motor neurons.
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