We are investigating the mechanisms by which motor proteins generate movement and spatial organisation within living cells. We are also interested in how defects in these mechanisms cause human pathologies. To address these topics, our work combines structural biology, cell biology, and single-molecule approaches.
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Comparison of transport within the cilium (left) and cytoplasm (Right). PubMed ID: 30065109
Cryo-EM structure of the IFT-A complex reveals carriages for membrane protein transport into cilia. PubMed ID: 36462505
The intraflagellar transport system. PubMed ID: 31451806
Integrative structural cell biology
A main focus is on dynein and kinesin, families of microtubule-based motors that use ATP hydrolysis to transport cargoes and signalling molecules within the cell interior. Dynein and kinesin also have critical roles in assembling larger cellular structures, such as the mitotic spindle, cilia and flagella. Our current goals are to understand how dynein and kinesin work as individual motors, how they cooperate to form bidirectional transport systems, and how they selectively attach to cargoes. We are studying these questions using transport within cilia and flagella as a biomedically important model. Defective transport in cilia causes a variety of human disorders associated with vision impairment, skeletal abnormalities, cystic kidneys, and infertility, among other conditions. Core techniques in our research are cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), in vitro reconstitution, cell biology, and single-molecule fluorescence microscopy.
2022
IFT-A Structure Reveals Carriages for Membrane Protein Transport into Cilia.
Hesketh, S.J., Mukhopadhyay, A.G., Nakamura, D., Toropova, K. and Roberts, A.J.
Cell – 185(26): 4971-4985
2019
Structure of the Dynein-2 Complex and its Assembly with Intraflagellar Transport Trains.
Toropova, K., Zalyte, R., Mukhopadhyay, A.G., Mladenov, M., Carter, A.P. and Roberts, A.J.
Nature Structural & Molecular Biology – 26(9): 823-829
2017
Intraflagellar Transport Dynein is Autoinhibited by Trapping of its Mechanical and Track-binding Elements.
Toropova, K., Zalyte, R., Mukhopadhyay, A.G., Mladenov, M., Carter, A.P. and Roberts, A.J.
Nature Structural & Molecular Biology – 24(5): 461-468.
2020
Intraflagellar Transport Trains and Motors: Insights from Structure.
Webb, S., Mukhopadhyay, A.G. and Roberts, A.J.
Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology – 107: 82-90
Trainspotting within the cell’s antenna
December 2022
Published in Cell, a new paper from the Roberts group reveals insights into the organisation and function of human intraflagellar transport “trains”.
Dunn School appoints new Associate Professor of Biochemistry
December 2022
We are delighted to announce that Dr Anthony Roberts will be joining the department in April 2023, strengthening our research in cell and structural biology.