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Updated: Apr 21, 2026

Biophysical Characterization of Flagellar Motor Functions
Published on: January 18, 2017
[Elongation of the axoneme and dynamics of intraflagellar transport]
Cécile Fort1, Philippe Bastin1
1Unité de biologie cellulaire des trypanosomes, Institut Pasteur et CNRS, 25, rue du docteur Roux, 75015 Paris, France.
Abstract:
Cilia and flagella are essential organelles in most eukaryotes including human beings. In this review, we will discuss the mode of assembly of these complex organelles that depends on a dynamic process called intraflagellar transport or IFT. IFT delivers structural elements at the distal end of the cilium where assembly takes place, thereby allowing the growth of the organelle. We next discuss the different models for control of cilium length and their alterations in ciliopathies, genetic diseases associated to ciliary defects.
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