Grant: Project Grant

Cilia are hair-like structures attached to the surface of almost all cells in the human body. They take part in a wide variety of biological processes such as sperm motility, mucus clearance, and sensory reception. Defects in cilia cause numerous diseases and developmental disorders including chronic respiratory infection, obesity, blindness, and intellectual disability. Understanding the architecture of this complex nano-machine will provide opportunities to effectively diagnose and treat cilia-related diseases. Here, the proposed research uses multidisciplinary approaches to elucidate the three-dimensional structure of the cilium. The research outcome will ultimately lead to the mechanistic understanding of cilia related diseases and potential solutions for overcoming their effects to the cell.