Sigríður Rut Franzdóttir

I'm an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences and my main research focuses on cell biology of the nervous system, with emphasis on roles of individual proteins and gene products in the development and decay of motor neurons and neuromuscular junctions. Maintenance of a functional internal cellular environment is important for preventing tissue damage or disease, but in the nervous system where neurons must generally last a lifetime, this is particularly important. My team uses Drosophila melanogaster (fruitflies) and human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to study the roles of selected genes and their products in the development, function and maintenance of neurons and glial cells. We employ genetic tools, molecular methods and microscopy in our research and particularly emphasize super-resolution and ultrastructural microscopy to determine the functional roles of genes of interest within cells in their natural tissue environment. This research also extends beyond cells of the nervous system as our main research targets play multiple roles in all eukaryotes and we aim to resolve at least a few of the mysteries surrounding their different yet possibly connected nuclear and cytoplasmic roles. In addition to gene functional studies in the nervous system, I am a member of a team of researchers studying the molecular developmental and evolutionary basis of polymorphism in natural populations of Arctic charr. This species has exceptional ability to adapt to and utilize different ecological niches but is adapted to cold environments and may therefore be threatened by changing climate. The studies aid in understanding the mechanisms of adaptation and how within-species diversity contributes to both the survival of species and biodiversity in general. In addition to resarch in life sciences I am interested in the art of teaching and the scholarship of teaching and learning and I am a member of the Teachin Academy of the Public Universities in Iceland (kennsluakademia.hi.is)