The Spindle Dynamics Lab
Charles L Asbury · Seattle, Washington
University of Washington-Seattle Campus · Physiology
Research focus
Dr. Charles L. Asbury's lab at the University of Washington studies how the mitotic spindle, a complex molecular machine, separates chromosomes during cell division. By using purified components and advanced biophysical tools, they investigate the mechanics of the spindle and kinetochores, uncovering how these structures ensure accurate chromosome segregation. Their research aims to deepen our understanding of cellular processes, with implications for developing new cancer treatments.
mitotic spindlechromosome segregationkinetochoresbiophysical toolssingle molecule tracking
Research aims
5AIM 01Reconstitute the activities of the mitotic spindle using purified components.
AIM 02Develop biophysical tools to track single molecule dynamics during cell division.
AIM 03Investigate the molecular basis of asymmetric grip strength in kinetochores.
AIM 04Test the conservation of kinetochore behaviors across different species.
AIM 05Explore the relationship between kinesin activity and accurate chromosome segregation.
Skills the lab values
molecular reconstitutionbiophysical analysiscell culture techniquesmicroscopyproteomicsgenetic engineeringdata analysishigh-throughput assays
Output against the department
153publicationstop 49% of the department140th of 286
most publishedleast published
6.2kcitationsbottom 49% of the department147th of 286
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. Position on each rail is this lab's rank, not its distance from the top: a department runs from one paper to tens of thousands, so rank is the only comparison that stays readable across it.