Northwestern University · BiologyMicrotubule Dynamics Laboratory
Vladimir I Gelfand · Evanston, Illinois
Research Focus
Dr. Vladimir I. Gelfand's lab at Northwestern University focuses on understanding how microtubules and the molecular motors that walk along them shape cell structure and function. By studying these mechanisms in different biological models like Drosophila oocytes and mammalian cells, the lab aims to discover how cells become polarized and how they transport vital components. These insights could lead to new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases and developmental defects in humans.
microtubulescell polaritycytoskeletonmolecular motorsDrosophilaneurodegenerative disordersoocyte developmentintermediate filamentscell transportcell structure
Research Aims
5AIM 01Investigate the role of kinesin-1 in cytoplasmic rotation in Drosophila oocytes.
AIM 02Elucidate how dynein facilitates cargo transport in nurse cells and oocytes.
AIM 03Study the dynamics of microtubules in neuron processes and tracheal cells.
AIM 04Explore how microtubule motors organize intermediate filaments in mammalian cells.
AIM 05Develop insights that could lead to treatments for neurodegenerative disorders.
Skills the Lab Values
microscopycell culturegenetic manipulation in DrosophilaWestern blotlive-cell imagingRNA sequencingbiochemical assaysin vitro and in vivo modelingdata analysisimmunofluorescence
Output against the department
Publications241top 25% of dept.259th of 1,033
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations12ktop 30% of dept.315th of 1,033
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.