The endocytic pathway and the actin cytoskeleton

We aim at unveiling the molecular mechanisms supporting endocytic traffic, with a particular focus on the role that actin and lipids play in the process. We use S. cerevisiae as a model system to dissect the conserved molecular mechanisms involved. By combining the powerful yeast genetics with informative in vitro assays, life-cell fluorescence microscopy of single endocytic events and quantitative electron microscopy, we refine molecular models explaining membrane budding. We also use mammalian cultured cells to learn how the system adapts to more complex physiological functions in higher eukaryotes. Specifically, we applied reverse genetics to identify genes that modulate endocytic traffic in brain and we study how endocytosis modulates cellular functions such as migration, epidemal to mesenchymal transition or ciliogenesis.