Dynein is a vital microtubule motor protein that contributes to a wide range of cellular processes in all animal cells, from yeast to human. Dominant mutations in the dynein regulator, LIS1 (also highly conserved), cause severe developmental brain malformations in children. The Smith lab now has evidence that some missense mutations may cause less severe, but much more common, neurological disorders such as autism spectrum disorders. Dr. Deanna Smith, associate professor in the Department, was just awarded a $401,128, two year grant from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS, NIH) to study how these mutations impact LIS1’s ability to regulate dynein-dependent processes.