Derek Warren

Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) phenotypic transition, from a contractile to a migratory phenotype is essential for vascular repair and is associated with dramatic changes in cytoskeletal organisation. We are interested in understanding the importance of nesprins, a family of cytoskeletal binding proteins that are highly enriched in contractile VSMCs and function at the nuclear envelope within the LInker of Nucleoskeleton and Cytoskeleton (LINC) complex. This complex forms a specialised structure that physically connects the plasma membrane, cytoskeleton and nuclear lamina to form a single mechanically coupled system, essential for cytoskeletal organisation, differentiation and cell motility. We use molecular biological and biochemical approaches combined with state of the art cell biological and biophysical techniques to study the complex roles of this family of proteins.

Smooth muscle cell phenotypic modulation, mechanotransduction, mechanical coupling of the nuclear envelope