Areas of Scientific Interest
RNA biology; non-coding genome; biomolecular interactions; molecular biomedicine; structural biology; reaction mechanisms.
Main Activities / Research Directions
Our lab focuses on nucleic acid-interacting human proteins and their implications for health and disease at the molecular level. If you are a student or a researcher interested in exploring these topics, feel free to contact us via email for work or collaboration opportunities.
m6A modification of mRNAs and lncRNAs
m6A is the most abundant internal modification of mRNAs, serving as a dynamic signal to modulate the RNA’s fate. It plays a vital role in majority of cellular transitions, such as initiation of cell differentiation, and is integral to development and response to environmental cues. Aberrant m6A patterns have been linked to various diseases, including certain types of cancers and cognitive disorders. Despite numerous efforts, many questions remain unanswered in this field. Our lab strives to:
- Understand the mechanisms that determine the selection of targets for m6A modification.
- Investigate whether m6A changes are causes or consequences of specific diseases.
- Evaluate the potential of m6A as a clinical biomarker.
- Develop tools for precise control of m6A in cellular contexts.
Factors involved with non-coding genome
The vast majority of disease-associated mutations occur in the non-coding genome; however, traditional gene therapies have primarily targeted the coding regions due to complexities of non-coding genome functions and challenges in accessing these regions. We aim to address both these issues by:
- Elucidating the fundamental biological mechanisms of the non-coding genome.
- Designing strategies to improve non-coding genome access for therapeutic editing.