Innovative Methodologies to Assess Microtubule Dynamics

TOPICAL COLLECTIONS

Guest Editor

Antonella Sferra

Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Italy, Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Unit of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders

Dr. Sferra graduated from the University of Rome “La Sapienza” in 2009 with a master’s degree in Genetics and Molecular Biology. In 2013, she earned her PhD in Cellular and Molecular Biology from the University of Rome “Tor Vergata”. She is currently a post-doctoral fellow in the laboratory of Molecular Medicine of the Professor Enrico Bertini at the Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital. Her research activities are directed to understand the pathogenic mechanisms associated to tubulinopathies, a wide class of neurological diseases caused by alteration in microtubule functional activities. In particular, her research aims to define genotype-phenotype correlations of tubulin mutations associated to malformative and neurodegenerative tubulinopathies, using different in vitro cell models, such as transfected cells, patient’s primary fibroblasts, and human induced pluripotent stem cells. Recently, she described the first mutations in TBCE and TUBB2A genes causing in humans two form of neurodegenerative tubulinopathies. In 2019, she has been awarded the “Young Reserachers Grant” from the Italian Ministry of Health for her studies on these class of pathologies.

Collection Overview

The dynamic behavior of microtubules is central to numerous cellular processes, including mitosis, intracellular trafficking, signal transduction, and neuronal plasticity. Given their critical roles, microtubule dynamics have emerged as a focal point in diverse research areas spanning cell biology, neurobiology, cancer, and drug development. However, accurately assessing microtubule behavior remains challenging due to their rapid, transient changes, subcellular localization, and sensitivity to experimental conditions. Standard approaches such as live-cell imaging, photobleaching techniques, and in vitro reconstitution assays each come with limitations in spatial and temporal resolution, reproducibility, and physiological relevance.

This collection aims to bring together a diverse array of methodological advances and original research findings that tackle the complex nature of microtubule behavior. The collection will highlight both established and emerging techniques, while also featuring original studies that reveal novel biological insights through the application of such methods.

By integrating methodological advances and original research findings, this collection will serve as a vital platform for fostering collaboration and cross-disciplinary innovation. It will support scientists in selecting appropriate tools, optimizing experimental workflows, and interpreting microtubule behavior with greater precision and biological relevance. Ultimately, this collection will contribute to accelerating discovery and therapeutic innovation in all domains where microtubule dynamics play a pivotal role.