The National Institutes of Health is funding work in Lyczak’s lab so that she can build on research that has uncovered a specific protein’s role in cell division, particularly as it relates to fertility.

Lyczak initially discovered the PAM-1 protein, its role in cell division, and what happens during embryo development. “We’re always studying mutations in pam-1 [in the model organism C. elegans]. If the worms have a mutation in pam-1, then embryonic cells won’t divide properly, and the embryos are going to die,” Lyczak said.

But recently, she identified “suppressor” genes that, when mutated, counteract this pam-1 mutation. Why is it significant? It’s the first direct link between a known component of the cell cycle machinery and pam-1—understanding the role of these proteins in regulation of the cell cycle could impact our understanding of infertility and early development.