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Lukas Kapitein is a Professor at Utrecht University, specializing in Molecular Cellular Biophysics. His research focuses on understanding the mechanisms that cells use to maintain their shape and organization, particularly in the context of the cytoskeleton, which is a mechanical network of biopolymers associated with proteins that provides cells with their shape and strength. His work examines motor proteins that transport cellular components and reorganize fibers within neurons. Through advanced optical methods and super-resolution microscopy techniques, his research investigates the intricate architecture and dynamics of the neuronal cytoskeleton, which is crucial for the functioning of neurons. He aims to unveil the mechanisms of polarized transport in dendrite maturation and its implications in neurodegenerative diseases. Kapitein combines protein engineering with mathematical modeling to explore the dynamics of motor-cargo assemblies critical for directing transport within neuronal cells.
Department of Psychology