Lia Paim, BSc, MSc, PhD

Microtubules are part of the cellular cytoskeleton that orchestrate a variety of processes, including cell division and intracellular trafficking. Although the term “cytoskeleton” suggests a static framework, microtubules are highly dynamic structures that continuously undergo cycles of growth and shrinkage within the cell’s cytoplasm. This dynamic behavior is regulated by microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs), motor proteins, and tubulin post-translational modifications (PTMs). Disruption of microtubule dynamics can impair essential cellular processes such as cell division and migration, thereby contributing to a range of disorders, including cancer, developmental abnormalities, and infertility. Our lab employs genetics, cell biology, live-cell microscopy, and proteomics to investigate how MAPs and PTMs regulate microtubule dynamics in somatic cells, oocytes, and embryos. We are also exploring how specific reproductive biology techniques—such as cryopreservation—affect the microtubule cytoskeleton, and how modifying these protocols can help mitigate negative impacts. Ultimately, our goal is to uncover how altered microtubule dynamics contribute to diseases like cancer, developmental disorders, and infertility, and to apply our understanding of microtubule biology to enhance assisted reproductive technologies.