CONTACT INFORMATION
| Phone: (216) 368-4766 |
| Fax: (216) 368-3952 |
| Email: virgil.muresan@case.edu |
Office: SOM Bldg. Room E553, 10900 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44106
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EDUCATION
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Ph.D. in Anatomy and Cell Biology University of Kansas
M.S. in Biophysics University of Bucharest, Romania
B.S. in Sciences Liviu Rebreanu Lyceum, Bistrita, Romania |
ACTIVE RESEARCH
In Vivo and In Vitro Nanoscale Transport of Macromolecular Assemblies
Investigating transport of organelles and protein complexes to specific intracellular destinations. This transport occurs on cytoskeletal tracks, the microtubules, and is powered by specialized molecular motors, kinesins and cytoplasmic dynein. Microtubules are typical examples of nanotubes (~30 nm in diameter), and many of the transported cargos - small vesicles and protein complexes - have nanoscale dimensions. |
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We are interested in how very small particles (5-10 nm in diameter) recruit molecular motors and are transported along microtubules.We investigate kinesin- and dynein-powered transport of quantum dots using in vivo and in vitro motility assays. Due to their small size, quantum dots recruit single motor molecules, thus allowing the study of individual motors.
Fluid and Particle Transport Within Microtubules
Investigating fluid dynamics within the interior of microtubules, aiming at identifying and characterizing a novel pathway of intracellular communication through “microtubule pipelines”.
POTENTIAL IMPACT
In addition to revealing the mechanisms of intracellular transport, this work will help design nanoengineered structures that use molecular motors in artificial transport systems.
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
Z. Muresan and V. Muresan, "Coordinated Transport of Phosphorylated Amyloid-beta Precursor Protein and cJun NH2-terminal Kinase-Interacting Protein-1," Journal of Cell Biology, Vol. 171, pp. 615-625 (2005).
Z. Muresan and V. Muresan, "Cytoplasmic Dynein Induces Formation of Nanotubular Networks from Small Liposomes Containing Acidic Phospholipids," submitted.
FIELDS
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