Unveiling the cell architecture in health and diseases using expansion microscopy

The centriole is an evolutionarily conserved organelle crucial for numerous biological processes, including cell division, signaling, and motility. Measuring approximately 500 nm in length and 250 nm in diameter, the centriole is composed of around 300 proteins, many of which are linked to human diseases. However, the structural organization of these proteins within the centriole and their role in pathologies, especially in specific tissues, remains largely unclear. In this presentation, I will showcase the latest findings from my laboratory, where we address these critical questions by combining cryo-tomography, advanced cell biology, and Ultrastructure Expansion Microscopy (U-ExM). These interdisciplinary approaches provide new insights into the intricate architecture of the centriole, advancing our understanding of its function and its involvement in disease.