Directionality and decision making during mitotic exit. (360G-Wellcome-102346_Z_13_Z)

The events that occur during mitotic exit, including chromosome segregation and central spindle formation, are fundamentally different to those that take place at mitotic entry. This asymmetric behaviour ultimately results in cell division rather than simply reverting to the pre-mitotic G2 state. This project intends to define how this asymmetry is generated, initially by identifying the stage at which cells become committed to cytokinesis. From there the activity and degradation of Cdk1, Plk1 and AurA/B, will be analysed throughout mitosis to identify the change in state necessary for mitotic exit.Finally we will investigate the exact molecular nature of the signals generated by these kinases, and how they enable cells to exit mitosis in a controlled, timely manner.