RNAs, RPBs, HuR and other Ribonyms
As a member of this year's Howard Hughes research program, I have begun work at Keene lab. Over the first week I have learned a variety of lab techniques as well as the basic science behind the general research interest of the lab and the individual projects. They are among a growing number of scientists who have turned to the study of RNA regulation in an attempt to connect the genetic code to its functional output.
Hints that the RNA is as or more important than the actual DNA sequence abound. For instance, mice have 25,000 genes while humans have only 23,000 but, counterintuitively, humans are larger and more complex organisms. Keene lab looks at the RNA binding proteins that, by carefully regulating the timing and stability of mRNA, effectively fill the information gap that allows organisms to acheive great heights of complexity without impossibly high numbers of genes. Teasing apart the intricate modes of post-transcriptional genetic control have required pioneering new methods of data collection and analyis. The lab's most pivital recent creation has been the RIP CHIP. This technology immunoprecipitates certain RNA binding proteins and then analyzes the actual RNA sequence attached to the protein. Using this technology to explore HuR (a particularly widespread and important RPB) the lab has uncovered fascinating connections between regulation by RPBs and functional changes within the cell.
As a more specific project, Neel (my mentor) and I will be attempting to understand the dynamic nature of HuR regulation in cells undergoing stress. HuR is capable of regulating the expression levels of multiple mRNAs simultaneously and thus provides an excellent source of coordination within cells responding to stressful situations. Moreover, it is possible for HuR to actively change the groups of mRNA that it effects by altering its phosphoralation pattern. We are attempting to explore the connection between phosphoralation patterns and functional changes in the cell.
Anyway, here are some pictures of the lab. Enjoy!
This is Matt. He is checking cell cultures at the microscope for confluency and contamination.
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Here is my office, which I share with Neel and Matt.
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Here's the lab bench for running gels.
I'll leave you with that reassuring sight.
