About me
The actin cytoskeleton, a network of protein filaments that shapes and moves cells, has always fascinated me, especially its dynamic nature in amoebae. My fascination began during my undergraduate and master’s research in Japan, where I studied the pathogenic mechanisms of the enteric parasite Entamoeba histolytica. Endocytosis, a biological process that takes up extracellular substances, is well-conserved and is one of the crucial pathogenic mechanisms of this parasite. Given endocytosis is regulated by the actin cytoskeleton, I focused on Rho small GTPases, key regulators of the actin cytoskeleton, to understand the regulatory mechanisms of endocytosis. Intriguingly, the deeper I delved into this field, the more captivated I became, as if it were meant to be. This passion inspired me to pursue my current PhD project, which aims to dig further into how actin is regulated during endocytosis in amoebae. I now use Dictyostelium discoideum, a social amoeba widely recognized as a model organism for studying endocytosis. Through advanced microscopy and molecular techniques, I hope to unravel how actin dynamics are elegantly orchestrated during these processes.
My Project
Macropinocytosis is a fascinating process that cells use to engulf large amounts of fluid from their surroundings. This process relies on the dynamic organization of the actin cytoskeleton. Dictyostelium discoideum, a social amoeba, serves as a powerful model organism for studying macropinocytosis due to its efficiency in performing this process. Despite extensive research, many details about how cells regulate macropinocytosis remain unclear. In particular, my research focuses on understanding how cells control actin dynamics to ensure this process is efficient and organized. I am investigating potential regulatory mechanisms that prevent actin from forming in the wrong places during macropinocytosis. By studying these mechanisms in Dictyostelium, my work aims to uncover new insights into how cells orchestrate this critical process. Ultimately, this research could deepen our understanding of cellular organization and the broader roles of actin in biology.