| Citation | Bill Earnshaw is distinguished for studies of mitotic chromosome structure and segregation. His pioneering use of scleroderma patient sera identified the first centromeric proteins and recent studies employing human synthetic artificial chromosomes are mapping the epigenetic landscape required for kinetochore assembly. He discovered the “chromosomal passenger complex” of INCENP, Aurora B kinase, Survivin and Borealin - a major regulator of mitosis and cytokinesis. His proteomic analysis of mitotic chromosomes continues to provide new insights into kinetochore composition and function. Earnshaw also developed the first system reproducing apoptotic execution in vitro, and used it to identify the first apoptotic caspase substrate. |