About

Rob Wolthuis
(Junior Group leader)

Studying Mitosis

The junior research group of Rob Wolthuis studies the regulation of mitosis in normal and cancer cells, by using a combinatorial approach of biochemistry, molecular genetics in human cells, and by using dedicated live-cell fluorescenceimaging tools. Recently, we have focussed on the control of Cyclin B1-Cdk1 activation as well as on the regulation of the Anaphase-Promoting Complex (APC/C) and its role in mitotic protein destruction. We have now started various new research projects in collaboration with other labs in our institute.

The NKI has profound experience in studying the molecular cell biology of the cell cycle in relation to cancer. We collaborate with the the research group of Huib Ovaa to design new tools to study mitotic protein ubiquitination and regulation of mitotic kinases, as well as with the group of Titia Sixma on in vitro ubiquitination assays and regulation of de-ubiquitnating enzymes. We are also collaborating with Kees Jalink and Jacques Neefjes on advanced cell biological tools, such as quantitative FRET analyses. Our live-cell microscopy facility (Lauran Oomen and Lenny Brocks) provides state-of-the art confocal microscopy support. We work with Reuven Agami on cell cycle regulation at the mRNA level. In collaboration with Roderick Beijersbergen of the NKI’s RNAi and chemical-compound live-cell screening facility, we are performing screens on the regulation of mitosis.

These collaborations within the institute help us to set up new assays and to identify novel regulators and compounds that can tell us more about the way cells divide, or how they may respond when cell division stall or fails. Our results are regularly discussed in relation to the Institute’s work in many groups on mouse tumor models, e.g. with the groups of Jos Jonkers, Piet Borst and Hein te Riele, but also with clinicians who are implementing anti-mitotics in clinical trials at the Antoni van Leeuwenhoek cancer clinic.

All information on these NKI research groups can be found at
http://www.nki.nl/Research/Faculty+and+Research/Divisions/.

For further information check out our research pages.

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