We study how centrosomes and cilia are assembled and regulated to support physiological function. A central focus of our study is SSNA1, a microprotein previously implicated in microtubule remodeling. Contrary to earlier models, we show that SSNA1 is not a microtubule-associated protein but instead a bona fide centrosomal protein that localizes to the distal lumen of centrioles, where it organizes luminal architecture and promotes ciliogenesis. These findings provide new molecular entry points into the mechanisms underlying ciliopathies.

We investigate how cytoskeletal and organelle dynamics drive germ cell development and reproduction. Using the mouse as a model system, we uncovered an unexpected role for SSNA1 in male fertility: sperm lacking SSNA1 fail to fertilize oocytes during both natural mating and in vitro fertilization. This finding reveals a previously unrecognized and essential role for SSNA1 in sperm development and function. Building on this discovery, our ongoing work aims to define how SSNA1 acts as a molecular gatekeeper coordinating spermatogenesis, fertilization, and early embryonic development.

We study how the γ-tubulin ring complex (γ-TuRC), a universal microtubule nucleator, governs brain development. Using in utero electroporation in mouse models, we discovered that γ-TuRC is essential for neuronal migration and differentiation, yet unexpectedly dispensable for progenitor proliferation. Our work establishes a direct link between cytoskeletal dysfunction and microcephaly, and reveal that γ-TuRC functions not only through canonical microtubule nucleation but also via previously unrecognized, nucleation-independent mechanisms that specify neuronal fate.

In close collaboration with chemists, we develop novel chemical tools to target the tubulin superfamily. By engineering small-molecule probes and modulators, we aim to gain precise temporal and spatial control over microtubule dynamics. These tools allow us to dissect complex cellular processes that are often inaccessible through genetic methods alone, facilitating the discovery of new regulatory mechanisms within the cytoskeleton.