Proper regulation of cytokinesis, the final stage of mitosis when the cell splits into two daughter cells, is critical for the completion of cell division. We use C. elegans to investigate the mechanisms of cytokinesis in the context of embryonic development, which has led to unexpected insights into the basic mechanisms of cell cycle regulation. C. elegans is an excellent model system to study novel aspects of cell division in a developmentally relevant context.
Various aspects of cell division, such as spindle alignment and orientation, are regulated by developmental programs to regulate how cells are produced in various tissues to build an organism from a fertilized embryo. Our work suggests that mechanisms of cytokinesis are also used during development to control cellular and tissue organization during development. Therefore, cell division is not only critical for cells to avoid aneuploidy, it is essential for several aspects of development.
Our research into how cell division mechanisms not only produce daughter cells with the right genetic material, but also control multiple other aspects of cellular behavior will likely generate important insights into human disease that may lead to the development of more effective therapies and cures.