Research interests
I began my scientific career evaluating the role of focal adhesion proteins in the regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transformation and their influence on cytoskeletal rearrangement during cell migration/invasion. Following on from this, I focused on understanding the role of cell-extracellular matrix interactions and their relationship to therapeutic resistance in ovarian cancer. My more recent work has concentrated on the role of actin motor proteins and associated adaptor proteins in the regulation of different aspects of autophagy, a cellular degradation pathway. More specifically, this work has investigated how autophagy receptor specificity towards distinct cargo is coordinated and what defines their individual cellular function.
Our current research focuses on understanding the cellular mechanisms and molecular machinery required for subcellular trafficking of membrane associated and cytosolic cargo via endocytosis and autophagy. These pathways are essential to regulate cell homeostasis by mediating signal regulation, receptor turnover, maintenance of energy stores, degradation of misfolded and damaged organelles, and control of pathogen invasion. In addition, we are interested in how these processes influence cell signalling, cytoskeletal reorganisation and cell morphogenesis.
Understanding the requirements for receptor as well as cytosolic cargo degradation and their relationship to cellular morphogenesis is vital to understanding the molecular mechanisms of diseases such as cancer and neurodegeneration, which stem from defects in various membrane trafficking and cell signalling pathways. My lab here at the University of Southampton utilises cell, molecular, and biochemical approaches to investigate the mechanisms of vesicle trafficking along the endocytic and autophagic pathways in order to further our understanding of these complex interrelationships.
PhD Supervision
Emelia Arezo Assar: Investigating the mechanisms of membrane traffic and cell signalling. Gerald Kerkut Charitable Trust, BioSci.
Charlotte Collier: Investigating the mechanisms of mitophagy. Wessex Medical Research Trust.
Research group
Molecular and Cellular Biosciences
Affiliate research groups
Neuroscience, Developmental Biology, Institute for Life Sciences (IfLS)
Research project(s)
This project aims to delineate the cellular mechanisms that regulate cargo identification during endocytosis and autophagy and their impact on cell signalling and morphogenesis.
This project aims to understand some of the cellular and molecular mechanisms that drive the process of intracellular degradation pathway mitophagy, where damaged mitochondria (due to stress or disease) are destroyed.
Novel strategies to enhance neurite outgrowth and axon regeneration are currently needed.
Dr David TumbarelloBiological Sciences
Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences
Life Sciences Building 85
University of Southampton
Highfield Campus
Southampton
SO17 1BJ
Room Number: 85/3037
