R. Bruce Nicklas

Arthur S. Pearse Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Biology

Office: 
371E Biological Sciences Bldg., Durham, NC 27708
Campus Box: 
Box 90338, Durham, NC 27708-0338
Phone: 
(919) 613-8196
Email: 
bnicklas@duke.edu
R. Bruce Nicklas
I am now retired and my lab is closed. In the past, we pushed chromosomes around by micromanipulation to learn more about chromosome movement in mitosis. We tugged on chromosomes to measure the forces produced by the spindle and chopped spindles apart to locate the motor for chromosome movement. Most recently we pulled on chromosomes to learn to connect cell mechanics with the molecular biology of a cell cycle checkpoint. The checkpoint monitors chromosome attachment to the spindle and helps ensure that the daughter cells get the right chromosomes. Pulling on chromosomes alters the phosphorylation of chromosomal proteins and it causes certain proteins to fall off the chromosome. These changes tell the cell that it is safe to divide. We wanted to understand how mechanical tension, whether from a micromanipulator's needle or from normal mitotic forces, leads to chemical changes in chromosomes and how those changes lead to proper cell division. I have also been interested in evolution, in particular the evolution of mitosis and the role of accidents as well as selection in the origin of species. I no longer serve as an advisor for undergraduate or graduate student research.

Education

  • Ph.D., Columbia University 1958

  • M.A., Columbia University 1956

  • B.A., Bowling Green State University 1954

Paliulis, Leocadia V., and R Bruce Nicklas. “Kinetochore rearrangement in meiosis II requires attachment to the spindle.” Chromosoma 113, no. 8 (March 2005): 440–46. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00412-005-0330-z. Full Text

Nicklas, R. B., J. C. Waters, E. D. Salmon, and S. C. Ward. “Checkpoint signals in grasshopper meiosis are sensitive to microtubule attachment, but tension is still essential.” Journal of Cell Science 114, no. Pt 23 (December 2001): 4173–83.

King, J. M., and R. B. Nicklas. “Tension on chromosomes increases the number of kinetochore microtubules but only within limits.” Journal of Cell Science 113 Pt 21 (November 2000): 3815–23.

Nicklas, R. B. “How cells get the right chromosomes.” Science (New York, N.Y.) 275, no. 5300 (January 1997): 632–37. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.275.5300.632. Full Text

Selected Grants

Analysis and Control of Chromosome Movement awarded by National Institutes of Health (Principal Investigator). 1976 to 2006

Analysis and Control of Chromosome Movement awarded by National Institutes of Health (Principal Investigator). 1976 to 2000

Analysis and Control of Chromosome Movement awarded by National Institutes of Health (Principal Investigator). 1976 to 2000

Analysis and Control of Chromosome Movement awarded by National Institutes of Health (Principal Investigator). 1976 to 1995

Analysis and Control of Chromosome Movement awarded by National Institutes of Health (Principal Investigator). 1976 to 1995

Analysis and Control of Chromosome Movement awarded by National Institutes of Health (Principal Investigator). 1976 to 1995

Analysis and Control of Chromosome Movement awarded by National Institutes of Health (Principal Investigator). 1976 to 1995

Analysis and Control of Chromosome Movement. awarded by National Institutes of Health (Principal Investigator). 1976 to 1991