STANFORD

The primary cilium is a dramatic example of spatial organization in the cell. Composed of more than a thousand proteins, this elaborate structure projects from the surface of most mammalian cells. Often only a few microns long, cilia are marvelously complex machines that play a central role in the efficient detection and interpretation of signals from the environment. Primary cilia coordinate multiple signaling pathways important for embryogenesis, organogenesis, and sensory function. Defects in cilia lead to human pathologies ranging from congenital anomalies to cystic disease and obesity. The diversity of these phenotypes is a testament to the pervasive importance of cilia in human physiology.

Primary location: Stanford United States