Next, we systematically deleted each dynein gene and analyzed how these knockouts altered flagellar movement. The results were surprising: each dynein distinctly impacted motility, but not necessarily in the ways predicted from earlier studies.

Using Leishmania as a model, we determined the cryo-EM structure of the doublet microtubule to pinpoint the position of each dynein. This gave us a detailed map of where every “rower” sits on the ciliary “boat.”