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| Name |
Biggins, Sue |
| Location
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Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center |
| Primary Field
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Genetics |
| Secondary Field
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Cellular and Developmental Biology |
 Election Citation
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Biggins made landmark contributions toward understanding the spindle checkpoint and kinetochore structure and function. She discovered the central role of Aurora B kinase in these processes. She was the first to reconstitute dynamic kinetochore-microtubule attachments in vitro and determine that tension stabilizes kinetochore-microtubule attachments and controls cell cycle progression. |
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Research Interests
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Sue Biggins' lab focuses on chromosome segregation and the cell cycle. Her lab achieved the first isolation of kinetochores and then reconstituted kinetochoremicrotubule attachments in vitro. This led to the discovery that tension directly stabilizes kinetochore-microtubule attachments as well as to the first EM images of isolated kinetochores. They are currently applying structural, biophysical and biochemical techniques to elucidate the mechanisms of kinetochore-microtubule interactions as well as the controls over the spindle checkpoint. Her lab also works on the mechanisms that ensure accurate chromatin composition and centromere identity. |
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