A5064448939- RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms
- RNA Research and Splicing
- RNA modifications and cancer
- Viral Infections and Immunology Research
- Genetics, Bioinformatics, and Biomedical Research
- Amino Acid Enzymes and Metabolism
- Cell Image Analysis Techniques
- Epigenetics and DNA Methylation
- Wikis in Education and Collaboration
- Building materials and conservation
- Plant Virus Research Studies
- Fungal and yeast genetics research
- Conservation Techniques and Studies
- Biomedical and Engineering Education
- Genetics and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Bacteriophages and microbial interactions
- Science Education and Pedagogy
- Signaling Pathways in Disease
- Autophagy in Disease and Therapy
- Protease and Inhibitor Mechanisms
- Creativity in Education and Neuroscience
- Advanced Fluorescence Microscopy Techniques
- Silk-based biomaterials and applications
- Advanced biosensing and bioanalysis techniques
Hastings College
2015-2024
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
2015-2017
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
2008-2010
Wayne State University
2010
Yale University
2006-2010
Case Western Reserve University
2002-2006
University School
2002-2006
Significance Protein and mRNA expression are in most cases poorly correlated, which suggests that the posttranscriptional regulatory program of a cell is an important component gene expression. This network still understood, including how RNA structure quantitatively contributes to translational control. We present here series structural functional experiments together allow us derive quantitative, structure-dependent model translation accurately predicts efficiency reporter assays primary...
Folding to a well-defined conformation is essential for the function of structured ribonucleic acids (RNAs) like ribosome and tRNA. Structured elements in untranslated regions (UTRs) specific messenger RNAs (mRNAs) are known control expression. The importance unstructured adopting multiple conformations, however, still poorly understood. High-resolution SHAPE-directed Boltzmann suboptimal sampling Homo sapiens Retinoblastoma 1 ( RB1 ) 5′ UTR yields three distinct conformations compatible...
Ribonucleic acid (RNA) secondary structure prediction continues to be a significant challenge, in particular when attempting model sequences with less rigidly defined structures, such as messenger and non-coding RNAs. Crucial interpreting RNA structures they pertain individual phenotypes is the ability detect RNAs large structural disparities caused by single nucleotide variant (SNV) or riboSNitches. A recently published human genome-wide parallel analysis of (PARS) study identified number...
The autocatalytic group II intron ai5γ from Saccharomyces cerevisiae self-splices under high-salt conditions in vitro , but requires the assistance of DEAD-box protein Mss116 vivo and near-physiological . Here, we show that influences folding mechanism several ways. By comparing precursor RNAs with long (∼300 nt) short (∼20 exons, observe exon sequences are a major obstacle for self-splicing Kinetic analysis indicates not only mitigates inhibitory effects also assists core. Moreover,...
Previously it was shown that the Aspergillus nidulans (A.n.) mitochondrial COB intron maturase, I-AniI, facilitates splicing of in vitro. In this study, we apply kinetic analysis binding and along with RNA deletion to gain insight into mechanism I-AniI facilitated splicing. Our results are consistent A.n. pre-RNA forming a specific but labile encounter complex is resolved native, splicing-competent complex. Significantly, shows resolution step rate limiting for studies show requires most...
The superfamily 2 vaccinia viral helicase nucleoside triphosphate phosphohydrolase-II (NPH-II) exhibits robust RNA activity but typically displays little on DNA substrates. NPH-II is thus believed to make primary contacts with backbone residues of an substrate. We report unusual nucleobase bias, previously unreported in any 1 or helicase, whereby purines are heavily preferred as components both and tracking strands. observed sequence bias allows efficiently unwind a DNA·RNA hybrid containing...
ZFP36L2 (L2) destabilizes AU-rich element (ARE)-containing transcripts and has been implicated in female fertility. We have shown that only one of three putative AREs within the 3′ UTR murine luteinizing hormone receptor mRNA, ARE2197 (UAUUUAU), is capable interacting with L2. To assess whether structural elements could explain this unique binding ability, we performed whole-transcript SHAPE-MaP (selective 2′ hydroxyl acylation by primer extension-mutational profiling) full-length mLHR mRNA....
The I-AniI maturase facilitates self-splicing of a mitochondrial group I intron in Aspergillus nidulans. Binding occurs at least two steps: first, specific but labile encounter complex rapidly forms and then this intermediate is slowly resolved into native, catalytically active RNA/protein complex. Here we probe the structure RNA throughout assembly pathway. Although inherently unstable, core, when bound by I-AniI, undergoes rapid folding to near-native state next transition includes slow...
In vivo, large RNAs rely on proteins to fold their native conformation. the case of S. cerevisiae group II intron ai5γ, DEAD-box protein Mss116 has been shown promote formation catalytically active structure. However, it is a matter debate whether does this by stabilizing on-pathway intermediates or disrupting misfolded structures. Here we present available experimental evidence distinguish between those mechanisms and discuss possible interpretations.
Technological advances in drug discovery are exciting to students, but it is challenging for faculty maintain the pace with these developments, particularly within undergraduate courses. In recent years, a High-throughput Discovery Science and Inquiry-based Case Studies Today's Students (HITS) Research Coordination Network has been assembled address mechanism of how can, on-pace, introduce advancements. As part HITS, our team developed "Behind Screen: Drug using Big Data Phenotypic Analysis"...
There is a growing need for integration of “Big Data” into undergraduate biology curricula. Transcriptomics one venue to examine from an informatics perspective. RNA sequencing has largely replaced the use microarrays whole genome gene expression studies. Recently, single cell (scRNAseq) unmasked population heterogeneity, offering unprecedented views inner workings individual cells. scRNAseq transforming our understanding development, cellular identity, function, and disease. As...
In subjects like cell biology, genetics, and immunology, a solid understanding of signal transduction is key to mastering new content. Often times students’ approach learning pathways relies heavily on memorization. this paper, we describe modular method introduce students transduction. method, are first presented with the discreet building blocks or molecules that comprise signaling (such as vocabulary terms molecule, receptor, effector target) asked integrate knowledge by (“do it yourself”...
Autophagy is a conserved catabolic process by which eukaryotic cells respond to stress targeting damaged or unneeded molecules organelles for sequestration into specialized vesicles known as autophagosomes. Autophagosomes ultimately facilitate the digestion and recycling of their contents fusing with degradative organelle cell. Studies budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae have revealed various types that can regulate autophagy, including starvation extreme temperatures. While autophagy has...