Our Science Mission
The Skop Lab is dedicated to uncovering fundamental mechanisms of cell division, with a central focus on the midbody (MB) and midbody remnant (MBR) as key regulators of cellular organization, proliferation, pluripotency, and intercellular communication.
We pursue curiosity-driven research grounded in the idea that disruption of midbody-associated pathways reveals core principles of human biology and disease. We define these emerging disease connections as “midbody-opathies,” encompassing conditions in which mutations in midbody proteins and associated RNA regulatory networks drive pathology.
Our work integrates cell biology, RNA biology, and systems-level approaches to understand how midbody-derived RNAs and proteins function during and after cell division, and how their dysregulation contributes to cancer and neurodegenerative disease. Through these efforts, we aim to establish new conceptual frameworks for cell-cell communication and identify opportunities for diagnostic and therapeutic innovation.
We pursue curiosity-driven research grounded in the idea that disruption of midbody-associated pathways reveals core principles of human biology and disease. We define these emerging disease connections as “midbody-opathies,” encompassing conditions in which mutations in midbody proteins and associated RNA regulatory networks drive pathology.
Our work integrates cell biology, RNA biology, and systems-level approaches to understand how midbody-derived RNAs and proteins function during and after cell division, and how their dysregulation contributes to cancer and neurodegenerative disease. Through these efforts, we aim to establish new conceptual frameworks for cell-cell communication and identify opportunities for diagnostic and therapeutic innovation.
Art as a Means of Making Science More Accessible
Our lab also integrates science and art to make cell biology more accessible, inclusive, and engaging. Through projects such as Genetic Reflections, our science-inspired coloring book and art installation in the UW-Madison Biotech Center, and the Lab Culture Cookbook, we translate complex biological ideas into creative, approachable formats that reach audiences beyond the lab. We also recently created Tactile Mitosis, a project supported by the Center for Healthy Minds, which develops hands-on, sensory tools to communicate the dynamics of cell division to diverse learners, including those with visual impairments. Together, these efforts reflect our commitment to broadening participation in science through creativity, education, and community engagement.
Translation in the midbody matrix in HeLa cells (Park, 2023)
Our curiosity-driven investigations
have made key discoveries
The midbody is an actively translating large extracellular vesicle with phase separated RNA assembled by KIF23 and ARC
Park, S., Dahn, RD, Kurt, E., Presle, A, VanDenHeuvel, K., Moravec, C., Jambhekar, A., Olukoga, O., Shepherd, J., Echard, A., Blower, MD., Skop, AR (2023). The midbody and midbody remnant are assembly sites for RNA and active translation. Developmental Cell, Aug 1:S1534-5807(23)00357-X. doi: 10.1016/j.devcel.2023.07.009. Online ahead of print. PMID: 37552987
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The meiotic midbody is important for developmental competence
Jung, GI, Londono-Vasquez, D., Park, S., Skop, AR., Balboula, A., Schindler, K. (2023). A meiotic midbody structure in mouse oocytes acts as a barrier for nascent translation to ensure developmental competence. Nature Communications, doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2022.11.17.516899
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Midbody Remnants (MBRs) are large EVs generated during mitosis
Patel SA, Park S, Zhu D, Torr EE, Dureke AG, McIntyre A, Muzyka N, Severson J, Skop AR. Extracellular vesicles, including large translating vesicles called midbody remnants, are released during the cell cycle. Mol Biol Cell. 2024 Nov 13:mbcE23100384. doi: 10.1091/mbc.E23-10-0384. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39535882.
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