Forbes Lab - UCSD

The focus of our research is the eukaryotic nucleus: its structure and function. A primary area of interest is the nuclear pore, a large macromolecular complex of 120 million daltons which spans the nuclear envelope. All communication between the nucleus and cytoplasm occurs through the nuclear pore: the pore actively imports proteins needed for DNA replication, RNA transcription and gene control, while excluding cytoplasmic proteins. The pore also must export messenger RNA, tRNA, snRNAs, and ribosomal precursors. With respect to the nuclear pore, we are studying: (1) the mechanism of nuclear transport, (2) the structure and component proteins of the pore, and (3) reconstitution of the nuclear pore in vitro.