Gerardo Morfini, Ph.D.
![](/-/media/legacy/legacy-and-pre-launch-image-edits/scholars/1998/gerardo-morfini.jpg?la=es&h=90&w=75&hash=347A6F7939D108A943CA8E6962065853)
- Title
- Assistant Research Professor
- Department
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology
- Institution
- University of Illinois at Chicago
- Address
-
808 S. Wood Street
MC 512, Rm CME 661 - City, State, ZIP
- Chicago, IL 60612
- Country
- United States
- [email protected]
- Website
- http://www.uic.edu/depts/mcan/morfini.htm
- Research field
- Neuroscience
- Award year
- 1998
- Country of origin
- Argentina
- Mentor name
- Scott T. Brady, Ph.D.
Research
The mission of our laboratory is to elucidate molecular mechanisms for the regulation of intracellular trafficking in neurons. Toward this end, we use a variety of experimental approaches including microscopic, biochemical, and cell biological assays.Kinesin-1 and cytoplasmic dynein (CDyn) are the major microtubule (MT)-based molecular motors responsible for the execution of fast axonal transport (FAT) mechanisms. Current research in our laboratory addresses basic questions on the regulatory mechanisms of kinesin-1 and cytoplasmic dynein-based motilities. Our major research projects currently include 1) Effects of kinase-related signaling pathways on axonal function in health and disease 2) Identification and characterization of physiologically relevant kinases affecting microtubule-based motor function. 3) Elucidating the molecular basis of kinase activation by mutant pathogenic proteins.