The Larochelle Lab
at Clark University
Sebastian Mana-Capelli
After Clark:
Sebastian graduated in summer 2009. He is currently a Post-doc at UMASS med, Worcester (Dannel McCollum)
Research interests: I am interested in the study of cell division in D. discoideum, with a special emphasis in cytokinesis. Initially, I explored and developed different ways to trigger gene silencing in Dictyostelium as a first approach to study cytokinesis-related proteins. Further work included the targeting by RNAi of putative components of the centrosome and exocyst, including DdExo70, DdSec15, DdSun1, DdCenB, DdPLK and DdAurK.
The phenotypes obtained were critical to confirm the involvement of these proteins in cell division and helped us determine which proteins we were interested in pursuing. Most of our efforts were focused on the putative centrosomal protein DdCenB, which has been shown to be required for centriolar division in human cells and SPB duplication in yeast. Interestingly, we have no evidence that DdCenB localizes at the centrosome. We are currently working to determine DdCenB cellular function. In addition, work on DdSun1, one of the proteins responsible for the anchoring of the centrosome at the nucleus, and the mitotic kinase DdPLK continue as collaborations.
Publications: Mana-Capelli S., Mandal A. K., Arguello J. M. (2003). Archaeoglobus fulgidus CopB Is a Thermophilic Cu2+-ATPase. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 278 (42): 40534-41.
Arguello, J. M., Mandal, A. K., and Mana-Capelli, S. (2003). Heavy Metal Transport CPx-ATPases from the Thermophile Archaeoglobus fulgidus. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 986:212-8.
Mana Capelli, S., Busalmen J. P. and Sánchez, S.R. de. (2001). Hydrocarbon bioremediation of a mineral-base contaminated waste from crude oil extraction by indigenous bacteria. International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation. 47, 233-238.
Selected meetings: Mana-Capelli, S. and D.A. Larochelle (2006). DdCenB, a unique centrin with predominant nuclear localization. 46th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Cell Biology.
Mana-Capelli, S. and D.A. Larochelle (2004). Silencing by RNAi in Dictyostelium discoideum. 44th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Cell Biology.
Mana-Capelli, S. and D.A. Larochelle (2004). Development of RNAi as a silencing tool in Dictyostelium discoideum. 2004 International Dictyostelium Conference.
Awards: Second annual graduate student multidisciplinary conference travel award. Clark University, 2004.
Undergraduate thesis research project awarded by the International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation. UK, 1999.
Links | About Prof Larochelle
Clark Biology Dept | Clark University