Centrosome and its Functions and Dysfunctions

Dr. Heide Schatten, University of Missouri, Columbia, is a cell and reproductive biologist with specific expertise in cytoskeletal and centrosome biology. She has published over 300 papers focused on cell and molecular biology of the cytoskeleton and cell organelles including mitochondria and interactions with other cell organelles and cellular structures.  She has further published numerous book chapters and edited several special topics journal issues and she edited 18 books with several more books in progress.Her publications include advanced imaging methods, cellular and molecular biology, cancer biology, reproductive biology, microbiology and space biology. The latter included collaborations with NASA scientists and experiments aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour to examine the effects of spaceflight on cytoskeletal organization during development. She has received numerous awards including grant awards from NASA, NIH, and NSF.

• Cell and Molecular Biology of Centrosome Structure and Function.- The centrosome Cycle within the cell cycle.-  Centrosome as center for proteolytic activity and  dysfunctions associated with pathogenesis of human disease.- Centrosome dysfunctions in cancer.- Virus exploitation of centrosomes.-  Centrosomes in reproduction.- Transition from centrosomal to non-centrosomal microtubule organization during cellular polarization.- External and environmental effects on Centrosomes.- Centrosomes and centrosome equivalents in other systems.- Non-centrosomal microtubule organization in plant cells.