Research Group KOPS

Faculty of Medicine, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Dept. Molecular Cancer Research
Contact: Prof. Dr. Geert Kops
E-mail: G.J.P.L.Kops@umcutrecht.nl
Website: http://groups.mcr.umcutrecht.nl/kops/

General research focus: Dynamic control of chromosome segregation

Embryonic development and tissue homeostasis rely on error-free chromosome segregation during cell divisions.
Chromosome segregation is a highly dynamic process, strictly controlled by a number of enzymes. Our lab wishes to understand how protein phosphorylation contributes to correct chromosome segregation. To this end, we focus on a group of kinases that controls proper attachments of chromosomes to spindle microtubules and also ensures activation of the mitotic checkpoint that responds to errors in attachments.
Our main questions revolve around understanding the signaling networks that are elicited by these kinases and that promote error-free chromosome segregation.
Questions include: how, where and when do these kinases become active, what mitotic processes do they control, and how do they control them?
In addition, we're interested in investigating whether defects in these networks might underlie aneuploidy in development and cancer, and whether targeting these networks could be a novel anti-cancer therapy.

Approaches
We use include chemical genetics, rapid affinity purifications, quantitative phospho-proteomics, high-resolution real-time imaging and fixed-cell deconvolution imaging, and in vitro biochemistry.

Students interested in applying for a 6-9 month internship are welcome to contact Geert Kops: g.j.p.l.kops@umcutrecht.nl

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