← Back to research topics
II / Fidelity · Accurate inheritance · 06
Mitotic fidelity & dynamic regulation
How does the mitotic machinery balance robust attachment with error correction?
01 / The Central Question
To divide correctly, a cell must hold each chromosome, detect wrong connections and pull it in the right direction. We investigate how these jobs are coordinated at the molecular level.
Failures in this error-correction system can produce cells with abnormal chromosome numbers. The tiny fibers that move chromosomes are also targeted by some anticancer medicines, making their molecular behavior important beyond basic cell biology.
02 / Mechanisms & Discoveries
How cells prevent chromosome separation errors
Choose a question below to read how the process works, what research has shown and which questions remain open. Each explanation also links to the original papers and press releases.
01 / 04Making a secure connection before chromosomes separateHow does a cell build the attachment needed to pull chromosomes apart?Read the explanation02 / 04Detecting and correcting wrong chromosome attachmentsHow can a cell release incorrect attachments while keeping correct ones?Read the explanation03 / 04Switching molecular interactions to control cell divisionHow can a small chemical change switch protein interactions on or off?Read the explanation04 / 04Combining strength and flexibility in the division machineryHow can the structures that pull chromosomes stay strong yet adapt?Read the explanation