In our lab we investigate how molecular motors drive the process of endocytosis and phagocytosis—cellular “eating” mechanisms that are critical for cell function and survival. Our goal is to unravel the early events that create the endosome/phagosome, a membrane-bound compartment that is moved by motors either to lysosomes for degradation or back to the cell surface for recycling. Particularly, we are interested in how the distinct motors myosin, dynein and kinesin coordinate to transfer the endosome smoothly from the actin to the microtubule network, ensuring precise positioning and timely cargo delivery.

​​Endocytosis plays a central role in many cellular processes, including nutrient uptake, receptor regulation, signal transduction, and immune responses. Understanding this process is also important to address how viruses and bacteria exploit it to enter and replicate within host cells. Additionally, disruptions in endocytosis have been linked to neurodegenerative diseases; misrouting or impaired trafficking of aggregated proteins can drive the progression of conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

To study the highly dynamic and fast-moving behaviour of motors and their cargo, we will employ a multidisciplinary approach. The University of Bristol is equipped with state-of-the-art instruments and facilities that will significantly support our work (including GW4 Cryo-EM, Wolfson Bioimaging and proteomics).