Welcome to the Asbury Lab website.

Our laboratory studies the mitotic spindle, an exquisite molecular machine that organizes and separates duplicated chromosomes during cell division, thereby ensuring equal partitioning of the genetic material. To uncover how this machine operates, we are reconstituting spindle functions using purified components and applying biophysical tools for manipulation and tracking of individual molecules.

metaphase

Mitosis: Human retinal epithelial cells seen in metaphase and (on mouse-over) anaphase. The chromosomes (green) and spindle microtubules (red) were highlighted by fixing the cells and staining with DAPI and anti-alpha tubulin. Photos courtesy of Jason Stumpff.