This is an image of nuclei assembled in Xenopus egg extract and is an overlay of nuclear membrane (green), DNA (blue), and transport substrate (red). The Ullman lab uses this system to study nuclear import and nuclear breakdown during mitosis.

The Lessnick lab studies Ewing’s sarcoma. Ewing’s sarcoma cells that express the luciferase enzyme were injected into the flanks of immunodeficient mice. Tumor formation is measured by the conversion of luciferin to oxyluciferin in a light-emitting reaction. The emitted light is measured by a sensitive CCD camera.

The Ayer lab is interested in communication between mitochondria and the nucleus. The images show the mitochondrial localization of a transcription factor called MondoA. MondoA is trapped in the nucleus when cells are treated with leptomycinB which is an inhibitor of nuclear export.