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Cell biology and motility; cytoskeleton, nervous, and ionic control of cilia; protozoan motility; cell junctions We take advantage
of the experimental virtues of comb jellies (ctenophores) and termite
protozoa to investigate basic problems in cell biology and motility. We
work on ctenophores at various marine stations to study the mechanism
and coordination of ciliary motion, as well as the ionic and nervous control
of cilia. By injecting fluorescent calcium probes and using high-sensitivity
video microscopy, we image the pattern of stimulus-induced calcium flux
into cilia that causes them to reverse beat direction and propel the ctenophore
backwards. Some ctenophores keep their mouth closed by reversible cell-cell
adhesion that disappears upon contact with prey and feeding. We use this
novel system to study the dynamic control of cell actin-based junctions
regulated by a newly-discovered net of giant neurons. We also use symbiotic
protozoa from the hindgut of American and Australian termites to investigate
the mechanism of a unique rotary motor that continuously turns one part
of the protozoan relative to the re of the cell (providing direct evidence
for fluidity in cell membranes). Other termite flagellates possess remarkable
arrays of microtubules and motile ectosymbiotic bacteria that are advantageous
for studying cytoskeleton development and prokaryotic-eukaryotic relationships.
Tamm SL, Tamm S. 2002. Novel bridge of axon-like processes of epithelial cells in the aboral sense organ of ctenophores. J Morphol. Nov;254(2):99-120. Tamm SL. 1999. Dynamic control of reversible cell adhesion and actin cytoskeleton in the mouth of Beroe. Microsc Res Tech 44:293-303. Tamm SL. 1999. Locomotory waves of Koruga and Deltotrichonympha: flagella wag the cell. Cell Motil Cytoskeleton 43:145-158. Tamm, S. and S.L. Tamm. 1995. A giant nerve net with multi-effector synapses underlying epithelial adhesive strips in the mouth of Beroë (Ctenophora). J. Neurocytol. 24:711-723. Tamm, S.L.. 1994. Calcium channels and signaling in cilia and flagella. Trends Cell Bio. 4:305-310. Tamm, S.L. and M. Terasaki. 1994. Imaging of calcium transients controlling orientation of ciliary beat. J. Cell Bio. 125:1127-1135. Tamm, S.L. and S. Tamm. 1993. Dynamic control of cell-cell adhesion and membrane-associated actin during food-induced mouth opening in Beroë. J. Cell Sci. 106:355-364. Deiner, M., S.L. Tamm and S. Tamm. 1993. Mechanical properties of ciliary axenonemes of membranes as shown by paddle cilia. J. Cell Sci. 104:1251-1262. Moss, A.G. and S.L. Tamm. 1993. Patterns of electrical activity in comb plates of feeding Pleurobrachia (Ctenophora). Phil. Trans. Roy. Soc. Lond. B. 339:1-16.
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If you would like to find out more information regarding Sid Tamm's research you can write to him at: 5 Cummington Street, Boston, MA 02215; call (617) 353-1734; or e-mail him at tamm@bu.edu. Questions
and comments are always welcome.
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