RNA regulation and modification in tissue development and homeostasis

The regulation of genomic output is of fundamental importance in the coordination of the complex processes that underpin stem-cell function and cellular differentiation essential for tissue development and homeostasis. Furthermore, understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which RNA modification and RBPs regulate gene expression is directly relevant to the comprehension of basic biological processes underlying development, stem-cell biology, and disease mechanisms. Professor O’Carroll will explore these regulatory mechanisms in the mouse germ line. His work will concentrate on the importance of the ubiquitous post-transcriptional RNA modifications of transcript uridylation, as well as the direct methylation of cytosine and adenosine bases within cellular RNA. In addition, he will explore the role of RNA-binding proteins in stem-cell function.