Position(s):
Assistant Professor, Dept. of Biology
Assistant Professor, Dept. of Neurobiology and Anatomy, 
Drexel University College of Medicine
Director, Dept. of Biology Cell Imaging Center

Office: 238 Stratton Hall
Lab: 210 Stratton Hall

Phone: (215) 571-3552 (Office)
            (215) 895-1932 (Lab)

Email: ets33@drexel.edu
Website: www.drexel.edu/biology/spiliotis_lab.html

Educational Information

B.S. - Boston College (1996)
Ph.D. - The Johns Hopkins University (2002)
Post-Doc - Stanford University (2002-2008)

Courses Taught

UNIV101 - The Drexel Experience
BIO480/502: Cell Biology of Disease
BIO433/501: Advanced Cell Biology

Mammalian cells consist of a dynamic meshwork of filamentous polymers (actin, microtubules and intermediate filaments) termed the cytoskeleton. Like the roadways of every city and town, the cytoskeleton mediates the intracellular transport of organelles and macromolecules while underlying cell shape and movement. Cytoskeleton organization and functions are fairly well understood. However, how movement along the cytoskeleton is spatially regulated is poorly known. Now our research reveals that a large family of cytoskeleton-binding GTPases termed septins could be the key regulators. We hypothesize that septins regulate microtubule-dependent motility by spatially modulating microtubule-motor and -cargo interactions. Our research aims at (i) exploring this hypothesis in the context of chromosome inheritance and membrane traffic in dividing and post-mitotic cells (epithelia, neurons), respectively; (ii) understanding the mechanisms with which septins regulate microtubule interactions with cargo, motors and microtubule-associated proteins; (iii) reconstituting and dissecting the regulatory functions of septins in cell-free motility assays.

With these studies we hope to advance our understanding of cytoskeleton regulation in health and disease. Disease states such as cancer and neuropathies are characterized by the demise of cytoskeleton-dependent processes such as chromosome segregation and membrane traffic. Many septin proteins are abnormally expressed in carcinomas and neurodegenerative disorders. Our laboratory is now exploring septin molecules as therapeutic targets. We have shown that forchlorfenuron (FCF), a small molecule compound with low levels of cytotoxicity, specifically alters mammalian septin organization and dynamics. FCF might prove to be a promising anti-tumorigenic reagent as it impairs both cell division and migration.

To view some of Dr. Spiliotis's published work [...click here...]

Lab Members:

• Jonathan Bowen (Research Technician III)
  -Septin regulation of microtubule motor-driven transport in cell division and epithelial polarity.
• Jianli Hu (PhD Student)
  -Septin functions in neuronal cell motility and polarity
• Xiao Bo Bai (PhD Student)
  -Septin interactions with microtubules, motors and microtubule-associated proteins
• Dheeraj Roy (BS/MS Student)
  -Septin biochemistry and reconstitution assays
• Peter Saira (Star Program Scholar)
• Tina Mathew (Star Program Scholar)

Personal/Laboratory Website(s):

www.drexel.edu/biology/spiliotis_lab.html