Dissecting actin mediated nuclear destruction during keratinocyte terminal differentiation

Controlled destruction of the nucleus is required throughout the lifespan of an organism. Critical though this process is, little is known about the associated mechanisms as it is a difficult process to visualise except in epidermal keratinocytes, which undergo nuclear degradation as part of their terminal differentiation process. Using a combination of state-of the-art live high-resolution light microscopy, phosphoprotein mass spectrometry and next generation RNA sequencing approaches, the PhD student will examine the role of the actin remodelling proteins in nuclear destruction and the possibility of inducing nuclear destruction with drugs to active this actin remodelling pathway.