Expertise
Dr. Verde's research focuses on mechanisms regulating the generation of cell form, or cell morphogenesis, which requires the formation of specialized cellular domains that promote polarized cell growth and a tight coordination of cell growth with cell division.
Control of cell morphogenesis in fission yeast.
Dr. Verde's long-term goal is to understand the cellular functions that govern cell shape, and in particular the signaling networks that coordinate cell polarity with cell growth. Alteration of cell polarity and disruption of tissue architecture are a common histological features in cancer. The conserved NDR kinase plays a key role in the control of cell morphology and cell proliferation in several organisms ranging from yeast to mammals. Her laboratory has defined the role of NDR kinase in the spatial control of Cdc42 GTPase, a key regulator of cell polarity, and in promoting polarized cell growth, by inhibiting degradation of specific messenger RNAs.