Molecular Design Principles of Cilia as Functional Nanoscale Systems

The research in our laboratory aims to uncover the molecular and structural principles that govern the organization and function of cilia, with a particular focus on the internal architecture of axonemal microtubules. Cilia exhibit exceptional properties, including long-term stability, precise spatial organization, and highly synchronized dynamics, yet the mechanisms underlying these features remain poorly understood. Our work centers on microtubule inner proteins (MIPs) and posttranslational modifications (PTMs) of tubulin, investigating how their spatial arrangement within the microtubule lumen defines nanoscale architecture and modulates mechanical, dynamic, and functional properties. By integrating biochemical reconstitution, advanced imaging and structural approaches, biophysical measurements, and cellular and organismal models, we seek to define how internal molecular organization translates into robust and coordinated ciliary behavior. Beyond advancing fundamental understanding of cilia biology, this research aims to extract general design principles of internally organized cytoskeletal systems, which may ultimately inform the development of synthetic cells or engineered cellular components with controlled stability, organization, and dynamics.