BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Center for RNA Biomedicine - ECPv6.15.17//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:Center for RNA Biomedicine X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://rna.umich.edu X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Center for RNA Biomedicine REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Detroit BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20200308T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20201101T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20210314T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20211107T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20220313T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20221106T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20230312T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20231105T060000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20211020T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20211020T100000 DTSTAMP:20260403T141812 CREATED:20210901T192024Z LAST-MODIFIED:20210901T192024Z UID:9327-1634720400-1634724000@rna.umich.edu SUMMARY:RNA Collaborative Seminar Series // Host: Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research DESCRIPTION:For the seminar details\, visit: https://www.rnasociety.org/rna-collaborative-seminar-series URL:https://rna.umich.edu/events/rna-collaborative-seminar-series-host-helmholtz-institute-for-rna-based-infection-research/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20211026T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20211026T130000 DTSTAMP:20260403T141812 CREATED:20210901T185327Z LAST-MODIFIED:20210908T170049Z UID:9297-1635249600-1635253200@rna.umich.edu SUMMARY:BiolChem Seminar: Michael Terns\, University of Georgia DESCRIPTION:“Know Thy Enemy: Making CRISPR Memories”\nMichael Terns\, University of Georgia\nDepartment of Biological Chemistry seminar\nLocation: 3330 MS I\nHosts: Yan Zhang and Nils Walter URL:https://rna.umich.edu/events/michael-terns/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20211103T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20211103T170000 DTSTAMP:20260403T141812 CREATED:20210901T192135Z LAST-MODIFIED:20210901T192135Z UID:9329-1635955200-1635958800@rna.umich.edu SUMMARY:RNA Collaborative Seminar Series // Host: UCSC Center for Molecular Biology of RNA DESCRIPTION:For the seminar details\, visit: https://www.rnasociety.org/rna-collaborative-seminar-series URL:https://rna.umich.edu/events/rna-collaborative-seminar-series-host-ucsc-center-for-molecular-biology-of-rna/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20211108T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20211108T170000 DTSTAMP:20260403T141812 CREATED:20210827T134511Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211025T164624Z UID:9271-1636387200-1636390800@rna.umich.edu SUMMARY:RNA Innovation Seminar: Zhonggang Hou & Jun Hee Lee DESCRIPTION:“Harnessing diverse compact CRISPR-Cas3 for long-range genome engineering”\nZhonggang Hou\, Ph.D.\nResearch Investigator\nBiological Chemistry \nABSTRACT: Leading CRISPR-Cas technologies employ Cas9 and Cas12 enzymes that generate RNA-guided dsDNA breaks. Yet\, the most abundant microbial adaptive immune systems\, Type I CRISPR\, is under-exploited for eukaryotic application. I will discuss our effort on adopting the first minimal CRISPR-Cas3 from Neisseria Type I-C system\, to create targeted large chromosomal deletions in human cells. RNP delivery of the processive Cas3 nuclease and target recognition complex Cascade\, gave up to 90% editing efficiency. Unexpectedly\, Type I-C Cascade assembly in bacteria requires a previous unknown internal translation product Cas11 from within the cas8 gene. Our data show that expression of a separately encoded Cas11 is the key to enable plasmid- and mRNA- based editing in human cells. We demonstrate that “supplying cas11” is a universal strategy to harness divergent and streamlined Type I-C\, I-D and I-B editors with distinct PAM preferences and guide orthogonality. Our findings expand the CRISPR toolbox for long-range genome engineering. \nKEYWORDS: CRISPR; genome editing; Cascade; Cas3; Cas11; DNA targeting; crRNA; large deletion; Neisseria; genome engineering \n  \n  \n“Microscopic Examination of Spatial Transcriptome through Seq-Scope”\nJun Hee Lee\, Ph.D.\nAssociate Professor\nMolecular & Integrative Physiology \nKEYWORDS: Spatial Transcriptomics\, Seq-Scope \n  \nRegistration: https://umich.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_qBK6mw7vQa6jOkZuS81_VQ \nFLYER IN PDF URL:https://rna.umich.edu/events/zhonggang-hou-and-jun-hee-lee/ CATEGORIES:Seminar END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20211109T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20211109T130000 DTSTAMP:20260403T141812 CREATED:20210901T185606Z LAST-MODIFIED:20210908T170232Z UID:9302-1636459200-1636462800@rna.umich.edu SUMMARY:BiolChem Seminar: Ailong Ke\, Cornell University DESCRIPTION:“Structural Basis of Bacterial CRISPR Immunity”\nAilong Ke\, Cornell University\nDepartment of Biological Chemistry seminar\nLocation: 3330 MS I\nHosts: Yan Zhang and Nils Walter URL:https://rna.umich.edu/events/ailong-ke/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20211117T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20211117T170000 DTSTAMP:20260403T141812 CREATED:20210901T192222Z LAST-MODIFIED:20210901T192222Z UID:9331-1637164800-1637168400@rna.umich.edu SUMMARY:RNA Collaborative Seminar Series // Host: The RNA Institute\, University At Albany DESCRIPTION:For the seminar details\, visit: https://www.rnasociety.org/rna-collaborative-seminar-series URL:https://rna.umich.edu/events/rna-collaborative-seminar-series-host-the-rna-institute-university-at-albany/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20211201T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20211201T170000 DTSTAMP:20260403T141812 CREATED:20210901T192308Z LAST-MODIFIED:20210901T192308Z UID:9333-1638374400-1638378000@rna.umich.edu SUMMARY:RNA Collaborative Seminar Series // Host: Penn RNA Group - University of Pennsylvania DESCRIPTION:For the seminar details\, visit: https://www.rnasociety.org/rna-collaborative-seminar-series URL:https://rna.umich.edu/events/rna-collaborative-seminar-series-host-penn-rna-group-university-of-pennsylvania/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20211207T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20211207T130000 DTSTAMP:20260403T141812 CREATED:20210901T190413Z LAST-MODIFIED:20210901T190413Z UID:9311-1638878400-1638882000@rna.umich.edu SUMMARY:Chase Beisel\, Helmholtz Center for infection Research DESCRIPTION:“Multiplexable RNA Detection by Cas9 Paves the Way for Novel COVID Testing Method”\nChase Beisel\, Helmholtz Center for infection Research\nDepartment of Biological Chemistry seminar\nLocation: 3330 MS I\nHosts: Yan Zhang and Nils Walter URL:https://rna.umich.edu/events/chase-beisel-helmholtz-center-for-infection-research/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20211213T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20211213T170000 DTSTAMP:20260403T141812 CREATED:20210827T134607Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211210T172017Z UID:9275-1639411200-1639414800@rna.umich.edu SUMMARY:RNA Faculty Candidate Seminar: Paul Donlin-Asp\, Max Planck Institute for Brain Research DESCRIPTION:“Resolving the localisation and dynamics of mRNA and protein synthesis within neurons”\nPaul Donlin-Asp\, Ph.D.\nPostdoctoral Researcher\nDepartment of Synaptic Plasticity\nMax Planck Institute for Brain Research \n  \n  \n  \n  \nFlyer in PDF \nCo-Host: The Department of Molecular\, Cellular\, and Developmental Biology \nHybrid Seminar:\nIn-person: Biomedical Science Research Building (BSRB)\, ABC Seminar rooms\nZoom: https://umich.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_tZjYxppSQwaDVTYIuC0jkw \nKeywords: mRNA dynamics\, local protein synthesis\, neurons\, neuronal cell biology\, synaptic plasticity\, in vivo imaging \nIn-person event COVID guidelines URL:https://rna.umich.edu/events/donlin-asp/ CATEGORIES:Seminar END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20211215T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20211215T170000 DTSTAMP:20260403T141812 CREATED:20210901T192352Z LAST-MODIFIED:20210901T192352Z UID:9335-1639584000-1639587600@rna.umich.edu SUMMARY:RNA Collaborative Seminar Series // Host: Harvard Medical School Initiative for RNA Medicine DESCRIPTION:For the seminar details\, visit: https://www.rnasociety.org/rna-collaborative-seminar-series URL:https://rna.umich.edu/events/rna-collaborative-seminar-series-host-harvard-medical-school-initiative-for-rna-medicine/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20211220T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20211220T170000 DTSTAMP:20260403T141812 CREATED:20210827T134635Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211210T212954Z UID:9277-1640016000-1640019600@rna.umich.edu SUMMARY:RNA Faculty Candidate Seminar: Dr. Alisha 'Jonesy' Jones\, Institute of Structural Biology\, Helmholtz Zentrum Munich DESCRIPTION:“Modulation of the MALT1 pre-mRNA structure by hnRNP proteins regulates T cell activation”\nDr. Alisha ‘Jonesy’ Jones\nPostdoctoral Researcher\nInstitute of Structural Biology\nHelmholtz Zentrum Munich \n  \n  \nFlyer in PDF \nCo-Hosts: The Center for RNA Biomedicine\, Department of Biological Chemistry\, and the Program in Biophysics \nHybrid Seminar:\nIn-person: Biomedical Science Research Buliding (BSRB)\, ABC Seminar rooms\nZoom: https://umich.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3yrQ47UuTKKuzigbe38Sww \nKeywords: pre-mRNA\, hnRNP\, NMR\, SHAPE\, structure \nAbstract: Alternative splicing is controlled by differential binding of trans-acting RNA binding proteins (RBPs) to cis-regulatory pre-mRNA elements. How pre-mRNA secondary structure affects recognition by RBPs and determines alternative exon usage is poorly understood. The MALT1 paracaspase is a key component of signaling pathways that mediate innate and adaptive immune responses. Alternative splicing of MALT1 exon7 is critical for controlling optimal T cell activation. Here\, we demonstrate that MALT1 pre-mRNA splicing depends on RNA structural elements that shield the splice sites of the alternatively spliced exon7. The RBPs hnRNP U and hnRNP L bind comparably and competitively to identical stem-loop RNA structures flanking the 5’ and 3’ splice sites of MALT1 exon7. While hnRNP U stabilizes RNA stem-loop conformations that maintain exon7 skipping\, hnRNP L destabilizes these RNA elements to facilitate recruitment of the essential splicing factor U2AF2 to promote exon7 inclusion. This work represents a paradigm for the control of splice site selection by differential RBP binding and modulation of pre-mRNA structure. \nIn-person event COVID guidelines URL:https://rna.umich.edu/events/alisha-jonesy-jones/ CATEGORIES:Seminar END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20220110T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20220110T170000 DTSTAMP:20260403T141812 CREATED:20211130T161429Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220105T212127Z UID:9805-1641830400-1641834000@rna.umich.edu SUMMARY:RNA Faculty Candidate Seminar: Rachel Niederer\, Yale School of Medicine DESCRIPTION:“Uncovering novel translational control elements within 5′ UTRs”\nRachel Niederer\, Ph.D.\nPostdoctoral Researcher\nYale School of Medicine \n  \nCo-Hosts: The Center for RNA Biomedicine\, Department of Biological Chemistry\, and the Department of Human Genetics \nHybrid Seminar:\nIn-person: Biomedical Science Research Buliding (BSRB)\, ABC Seminar rooms\nZoom: https://umich.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_qg4fyCUbQZyVu0oGrBLmWQ \nAbstract: Translational control of gene expression plays an essential role during development\, response to stress and a wide range of cellular processes. However\, the key mRNA features that distinguish efficiently translated from poorly translated mRNAs remain largely unknown. This talk will describe the development of direct analysis of ribosome targeting (DART) and its use both in discovering novel regulatory elements within 5′ untranslated regions (5′ UTRs) as well as revealing unexpected behaviors from features that were previously thought to be well understood. \nIn-person event COVID guidelines \nFlyer in PDF URL:https://rna.umich.edu/events/rachel-niederer/ CATEGORIES:Seminar END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20220131T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20220131T170000 DTSTAMP:20260403T141812 CREATED:20211130T164405Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220104T163046Z UID:9808-1643644800-1643648400@rna.umich.edu SUMMARY:RNA Faculty Candidate Seminar: Jailson (Jay) Brito Querido\, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology DESCRIPTION:“The scanning mechanism of mRNA translation initiation in humans”\nJailson (Jay) Brito Querido\, Ph.D.\nPostdoctoral Scientist\nMRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology\nCambridge\, UK \n  \n  \n  \nCo-Hosts: The Center for RNA Biomedicine\, Department of Biological Chemistry\, and the Program in Biophysics \nHybrid Seminar:\nIn-person: Biomedical Science Research Building (BSRB)\, ABC Seminar rooms\nZoom: https://umich.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_pcS-fWIdSS-hDnKzoRhXeg \nKeywords: mRNA\, translation\, ribosome\, helicase\nAbstract: Decoding the genetic information into protein is fundamental for all kingdoms of life. It requires precise mechanisms to transcribe the DNA into mRNA\, which then can be translated by the ribosome to produce proteins. Translation initiation of eukaryotic mRNAs is a dynamic process regulated by over a dozen protein eukaryotic initiation factors (eIFs). This process starts with the binding of eukaryotic initiation factors eIF1\, eIF1A\, eIF3\, eIF5\, and a ternary complex of eIF2–GTP–tRNAiMet (TC) to the 40S small ribosomal subunit\, forming the 43S preinitiation complex (43S PIC). Once assembled\, the 43S PIC is recruited to the 5′ untranslated region (UTR) of mRNA by the multifactor cap-binding complex eIF4F\, forming the 48S initiation complex (48S). The 48S then scans along the 5′ UTR mRNA to locate a start codon. The eIF4F binding site in the 48S and how mRNA is inserted into the mRNA channel in the 40S small ribosomal subunit remained unknown. To gain insights into the molecular mechanism underlining the assembly of the 48S\, we used cryo-electron microscopy to determine the structure of a reconstituted human 48S. The structure sheds light on the early events of translation initiation complex assembly\, including how eIF4F interacts with the 43S during the scanning process. \nIn-person COVID Events Policy URL:https://rna.umich.edu/events/jay-brito-querido/ CATEGORIES:Seminar END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20220214T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20220214T170000 DTSTAMP:20260403T141812 CREATED:20211130T173006Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220204T174223Z UID:9812-1644854400-1644858000@rna.umich.edu SUMMARY:RNA Faculty Candidate Seminar: Margaret (Maggie) Rodgers\, Johns Hopkins University DESCRIPTION:“Mechanisms of co-transcriptional ribonucleoprotein assembly”\nMargaret (Maggie) Rodgers\, Ph.D.\nPostdoctoral Researcher\nJohns Hopkins University \n  \n  \n  \n  \nCo-Hosts: The Center for RNA Biomedicine\, Department of Biological Chemistry\, and the Program in Biophysics \nHybrid Seminar:\nIn-person: Biomedical Science Research Buliding (BSRB)\, ABC Seminar rooms\nZoom: https://umich.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Icqg8jRbQNGCBEFkj_u5Gw \nKeywords: RNA\, RNP\, ribosome assembly\, transcription\, single-molecule fluorescence \nSeminar flyer in PDF \nIn-person event COVID guidelines URL:https://rna.umich.edu/events/margaret-maggie-rodgers/ CATEGORIES:Seminar END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20220228T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20220228T170000 DTSTAMP:20260403T141812 CREATED:20220214T173408Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220214T212905Z UID:10113-1646064000-1646067600@rna.umich.edu SUMMARY:Seminar: John Prensner\, MD\, PhD DESCRIPTION:“Translating the cancer genome: dark matter proteins”\nJohn Prensner\, M.D.\, Ph.D.\nPhysician\, Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center\nInstructor of Pediatrics\, Harvard Medical School \n  \n  \nCo-Hosts: The Center for RNA Biomedicine\, Department of Computational Medicine & Bioinformatics\, and Department of Pediatric Oncology \nHybrid Seminar:\nIn-person: Biomedical Science Research Building (BSRB)\, ABC Seminar rooms\nZoom: https://umich.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_bC6oy6VZTLy3ke4iMS2sKQ \nKeywords: cancer\, ribosome profiling\, functional genomics\, gene discovery \nAbstract: Although genomic analyses predict many non-canonical open reading frames (ORFs) in the human genome\, it is unclear whether they encode biologically active proteins in diseases such as cancer. Here\, we have developed functional genomics platforms to systematically interrogate non-canonical ORFs identified in ribosome profiling data. Using CRISPR loss-of-function screens in numerous human cancer models\, we define the frequency with which ORFs contribute to cell essentiality phenotypes. We further constructed large-scale ORF plasmid libraries to assess their capacity to encode a protein and induce cancer cell transcriptional changes. We pursued focused investigation of several uncharacterized protein-coding loci\, defining roles for the lncRNA-ORF GREP1 in breast cancer and the ASNSD1 upstream ORF (uORF) in medulloblastoma. Lastly\, we have assembled a pathway to bring such ORF candidates into the mainstream of biological research via an international consortium of gene database stakeholders. Together\, this work establishes non-canonical ORFs as critical mediators of cancer cell biology\, suggests their potential promise as therapeutic targets in cancer\, and outlines a path forward for dissemination of these ORFs amongst the global research community. \nIn-person COVID Events Policy URL:https://rna.umich.edu/events/john-prensner/ CATEGORIES:Seminar END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20220321T150000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20220321T160000 DTSTAMP:20260403T141812 CREATED:20220314T142057Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220314T183351Z UID:10183-1647874800-1647878400@rna.umich.edu SUMMARY:RNA Therapeutics Seminar\, Michelle Hastings\, Rosalind Franklin University DESCRIPTION:Inaugural RNA Therapeutics Seminar\nMichelle Hastings\, Ph.D.\nProfessor\, Cell Biology and Anatomy; Director\, Center for Genetic Diseases\nRosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science \n  \n  \n  \nThis is an internal U-M event:\nIn-person: Palmer Commons\, Forum Hall\nZoom: https://umich.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_mUj40sudTwmI6hXANnlJEg \nKeywords: pre-mRNA splicing\, Antisense oligonucleotides\, Usher syndrome\, Batten Disease\, lysosomal storage diseases \nSeminar flyer in PDF \nIn-person COVID Events Policy URL:https://rna.umich.edu/events/rna-therapeutics-seminar-michelle-hastings/ CATEGORIES:Seminar END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20220325T083000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20220325T160000 DTSTAMP:20260403T141812 CREATED:20210910T175731Z LAST-MODIFIED:20210910T175921Z UID:9401-1648197000-1648224000@rna.umich.edu SUMMARY:6th Annual RNA Symposium DESCRIPTION:Featured keynote speakers\nChris Burge\, MIT\nMichelle Hastings\, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science\nJohn Rinn\, University of Colorado-Boulder\nGisela Storz\, NIH\nJack Szostak\, University of Chicago \nFor more details\, visit: https://rna.umich.edu/2022-symposium/ \n  \n  \n\n\n \n \n Symposium Registration Form\n \n \n EmailThis field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.Name*\n \n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n TitleDepartmentEmail*\n \n PhoneWill you attend in-person or via Zoom?*\n \n In-person\n \n \n Zoom\n \n \n Both\n CAPTCHA\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Δ URL:https://rna.umich.edu/events/6th-annual-rna-symposium/ CATEGORIES:Symposium END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20220328T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20220328T170000 DTSTAMP:20260403T141812 CREATED:20211206T182658Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220319T182647Z UID:9869-1648483200-1648486800@rna.umich.edu SUMMARY:RNA Innovation Seminar: Wendy Gilbert\, Ph.D. DESCRIPTION:“Marvelous U: Canonical and non-canonical functions of uridine modifying enzymes in health and disease”\nWendy Gilbert\, Ph.D.\nAssociate Professor of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry\nYale School of Medicine \nFlyer in PDF \n  \n  \n  \nHybrid Seminar\nIn-person: BSRB\, ABC Seminar Rooms\nZoom: https://umich.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_P6PEipcsRPmG7cAL104K-Q \nKeywords:\nRNA modifications\, RNA processing\, RNA folding\, pre-mRNA\, tRNA\, translation\, cancer \nAbstract:\nRNA modifications are essential for human health—too much or too little leads to serious illnesses ranging from neurodevelopmental disorders to cancer. We are working to uncover the RNA targets of RNA modifying enzymes that are dysregulated in disease and to understand their molecular and organismal roles. Recent advances in detecting the modified nucleosides pseudouridine and dihydrouridine reveal complex landscapes that include pre-messenger RNA and diverse classes of noncoding RNA in yeast and human cells. I will give an update on our progress towards answering three questions: How are specific RNA sites selected for modification and how is this process regulated? What are the molecular consequences of mRNA and non-coding RNA modifications? How do specific defects in RNA metabolism result in organismal phenotypes\, including disease? URL:https://rna.umich.edu/events/wendy-gilbert/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20220411T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20220411T170000 DTSTAMP:20260403T141812 CREATED:20211206T183206Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230129T215823Z UID:9872-1649692800-1649696400@rna.umich.edu SUMMARY:RNA Innovation Seminar: Silvi Rouskin\, Ph.D. DESCRIPTION:“Alternative structures of the SARS-CoV-2 RNA genome control gene expression and offer therapeutic strategies”\nSilvi Rouskin\, Ph.D.\nAssistant Professor\nHarvard Medical School \n  \n  \n  \n  \nVirtual Seminar via Zoom: https://umich.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_zi3UlKucR6G51hEA_33Exg \nKeywords:\nTBA \nAbstract:\nTBA URL:https://rna.umich.edu/events/silvi-rouskin-2022/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20220418T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20220418T130000 DTSTAMP:20260403T141812 CREATED:20211206T183726Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220412T180710Z UID:9876-1650283200-1650286800@rna.umich.edu SUMMARY:RNA Innovation Seminar: Paul Magwene\, Ph.D.\, Duke University DESCRIPTION:“Signaling Pathway Variation and Evolutionary Hotspots in the Fungi”\nPaul Magwene\, Ph.D. \nProfessor of Biology\nDirector\, Computational Biology & Bioinformatics (CBB)\nDuke University \n  \nPDF Flier \nHybrid Seminar\nIn-person: BSRB\, ABC Seminar Rooms\nZoom: https://umich.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7wk1SlRdQ_e04VnwcjVV7g \nKeywords:\npopulation genomics\, statistical genetics\, gene networks\, microbial pathogenesis \nAbstract:\nEvolutionarily conserved signal transduction pathways\, such as Ras-cAMP-PKA\, calcineurin\, and TOR signaling\, are primary regulators of stress responses and morphogenetic processes across the fungal tree of life. From an evolutionary perspective\, these pathways are expected to be under relatively strong stabilizing selection\, as loss-of-function mutations (LoF) in these pathways typically lead to reduced growth rates and increased sensitivity to environmental stresses. We have carried out comparative population genomic analyses of signaling pathway LoF alleles for multiple fungal species\, and find that several pathways exhibit unusually high frequencies of naturally occurring putative LoF alleles. We discuss the implications of this finding for the evolutionary lability of signaling pathways in the fungi\, and combine information on loss-of-function alleles with related evidence from QTL mapping and experimental evolution studies to identify pathways that may act as “evolutionary hotspots” for adaptation to novel environments. URL:https://rna.umich.edu/events/paul-magwene/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20220509T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20220509T170000 DTSTAMP:20260403T141812 CREATED:20211216T202325Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220502T191433Z UID:9963-1652112000-1652115600@rna.umich.edu SUMMARY:RNA Innovation Seminar: Sika Zheng\, UC Riverside\, School of Medicine DESCRIPTION:“Unexpected determinants of neuronal identity and properties: the curious cases of PTBP1\, PTBP2\, and neuronal splicing”\nSika Zheng\, Ph.D. \nAssociate Professor\, Director of Center for RNA Biology and Medicine\nUC Riverside\, School of Medicine \n  \nFlyer in PDF \n  \nVirtual Seminar\nZoom: https://umich.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_dltbxWdHQ5KrC3rTl4hqLQ \nAbstract:\nAlternative splicing is the major contributor to transcriptome diversity\, but splicing is noisy and to what extend alternative splicing regulation is indispensable for biolgical processes has been controversial. Our studies have revealed the regulation and function of neural-specific splicing in shaping neuronal identity and estalishing neurons’ two unique attributes: 1. Axonogenesis (Only neurons but no other cell types have one and single axon); 2. Neuronal longevity (Neurons are the most long-lived cell types). We show that obtaining these neuronal features is coordinated by RNA binding proteins PTBP1 and PTBP2\, while PTBP1 was suggested by others to be a reprogramming factor of neuronal fate. I will discuss the regulatory mechanism of neural specific splicing underlying neurogensis and maturation. \nReferences:\nZhang M\, Ergin V\, Lin L\, Stork C\, Chen L\, Zheng S. Neuron. 2019 Feb 20;101(4):690-706.e10.\nErgin V\, Zheng S. J Mol Biol. 2020 Jun 26;432(14):4154-4166.\nZheng S. Wiley Interdiscip Rev RNA. 2020 Jul;11(4):e1585.\nLin L\, Zhang M\, Stoilov P\, Chen L\, Zheng S. Neuron. 2020 Sep 23;107(6):1180-1196.e8.\nVuong J\, Ergin V\, Zheng S. Nature Communications (accepted) URL:https://rna.umich.edu/events/sika-zheng/ CATEGORIES:Seminar END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20220516T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20220516T170000 DTSTAMP:20260403T141812 CREATED:20220218T163352Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220506T161447Z UID:10130-1652716800-1652720400@rna.umich.edu SUMMARY:RNA Innovation Seminar: Daniel O’Reilly DESCRIPTION:“An Academic Approach to Oligonucleotide Therapeutics”\nDaniel O’Reilly Ph.D.\, MRSC\nPost-Doctoral Associate\nKhvorova Lab\nRNA Therapeutics Institute\nUniversity of Massachusetts Medical School \nFlyer in PDF \n  \nHYBRID SEMINAR:\nIn-person: BSRC\, ABC seminar rooms\nZoom: https://umich.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_dM1a1aKVTM2KfwiieutOWg \nKeywords: Oligonucleotides\, Chemical Modifications\, RNA\, Huntington’s Disease \nAbstract: Nucleic acids (NA) are becoming the third major pillar of therapeutic modalities on par with small molecules and biologics. The diversity of NA molecular mechanisms\, ranging from vaccines\, antisense\, short interfering RNA (siRNAs)\, and guide RNA for CRISPR gene editing systems\, enable impact on most aspects of cellular biology and thus human medicine. The foundation behind the recent oligonucleotides’ clinical success is fundamental chemical innovations in RNA stability\, delivery\, and synthesis.\nOligonucleotides are informational drugs; thus\, if chemical architectures supporting safe and efficient delivery to the tissue of interest are achieved\, they can be easily reprogrammed to modulate any gene expression on demand\, creating an opportunity for academic institutions to drive therapeutic innovation. However\, the process is limited by access to oligonucleotide chemistry and synthetic expertise.\nIn the first half of the talk\, I will share the experience of building and running Nucleic Acid Chemistry Center in a context of a large academic institution. The NACC provides access to therapeutic quality screening leads and large manufacturing of preclinical compounds for the academic community. The impact of the NACC and chemical innovation will be discussed in the context of two significant projects. First\, I will discuss the systematic structure-activity relationship study of chemical modifications to modulate RISC loading and cleavage. Screening 1200 siRNA variants allow for defining the chemical and thermodynamic rules for RISC assembly. URL:https://rna.umich.edu/events/daniel-oreilly/ CATEGORIES:Seminar END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20220523T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20220523T170000 DTSTAMP:20260403T141812 CREATED:20211206T190501Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220519T134053Z UID:9882-1653321600-1653325200@rna.umich.edu SUMMARY:RNA Innovation Seminar: Analisa DiFeo & Bambarendage (Pini) Perera DESCRIPTION:HYBRID SEMINAR:\nIn-person: BSRC\, ABC seminar rooms\nLivestream: https://umich.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_mXMOsCvlQrSyuJQO0_EnWw \n \n“A miRNA-mediated approach to dissect the complexity of cancer progression and identify anti-cancer drugs”\nAnalisa DiFeo\, Ph.D.\nAssociate Professor\nPathology and Ob/Gyn\nMichigan Medicine \nAbstract: High grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) the most common type of “ovarian” cancer is one of the deadliest cancers diagnosed in women. One of the primary drivers for the high mortality rate associated with HGSC is tumor recurrence and chemoresistance. Thus\, there is a critical need to identify the genetic drivers of tumor development and recurrence to improve therapeutic strategies. In this proposal\, we provide extensive evidence for the clinical and biological importance of miR-181a\, which is amplified in a large majority of HGSC patients\, correlates with poor overall survival\, and induces epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT)\, metastasis\, drug resistance\, and stem-like cell properties. Remarkably\, this correlation between miR-181a with clinical outcome and recurrence has also been shown in numerous other cancers. Notably\, miR-181a expression in HGSC tumors offered stronger prognostic value than established clinical biomarkers. Furthermore\, analysis of >10\,000 tumors representing 20 different cancers revealed that amplification of miR-181a correlated with poor outcome. Most recently\, we have uncovered a novel mechanism through which miR-181a can drive tumor development at the earliest stage through the cooperative targeting of RB1 and Stimulator of Interferon Genes (STING). Enhanced miR-181a promoted the growth of highly aggressive and genomically instable cells through the direct inhibition of STING\, a key activator of interferon signaling in response to cytoplasmic DNA. Though activating anti-tumor immunity is increasingly being recognized as an important therapy in cancer treatment the efficacy of current immunotherapies for the treatment of HGSC has not been successful mainly due to the highly immunosuppressive microenvironment. One of the primary means by which a tumor creates an immunosuppressive microenvironment is by inhibiting STING signaling within the tumor. Thus\, our novel finding showing that miR-181a directly regulates STING introduced unique opportunity to assess whether therapeutic targeting of the miR-181a will reactivate IFN signaling via STING to overcome immune tolerance that is commonly seen in HGSC tumors. \n  \n\n“The Role of piRNA in Environmental Epigenetics”\nBambarendage Pinithi Perera\, Ph.D.\nResearch Assistant Professor\nEnvironmental Health Sciences\nSchool of Public Health \nKeywords: piRNA\, epigenetics\, toxicology \nAbstract: Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that associate with PIWI proteins to induce DNA methylation for retrotransposon suppression. Mature germline piRNAs typically consist of 24–32 nucleotides with a strong preference for a 5ʹ uridine\, an adenine at position 10\, and a 2ʹ-O-methylated 3ʹ end. In the current study\, we identified piRNAs and associated machinery from mouse somatic tissues by quantifying Piwil1\, Piwil2\, and Piwil4 expression in brain\, liver\, kidney\, and heart. The study revealed 26 piRNA sequence species and 40 piRNA locations exclusive to all examined somatic tissues. Non-coding RNA expression is sensitive to environmental exposures\, although it has been unclear whether exposures such as lead (Pb) impact piRNA expression. In the current study\, mouse dams were exposed to Pb 2 weeks prior to mating which continued through offspring weaning. We profiled tissue- and sex-specific effects of perinatal Pb exposure on the piRNA transcriptomes of the resulting progeny at 5 months. Based on significant p-values (<0.05)\, 346 piRNAs were differentially expressed among Pb-exposed mice in testes\, 339 in ovaries\, 127 in M cortex\, 105 in F cortex\, 42 in M liver\, and 59 in F liver. According to preliminary results\, a total of 3 piRNAs were\ndifferentially expressed based on FDR(q<0.05). Although piRNA expression has long been considered exclusive to the germline\, our results support previous reports of somatic piRNA expression\, and demonstrate that perinatal environmental exposures such as Pb influence longitudinal piRNA expression in a tissue- and sex-specific manner. \n  \n  URL:https://rna.umich.edu/events/difeo-and-perera/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20220606T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20220606T170000 DTSTAMP:20260403T141812 CREATED:20211206T182024Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220531T153226Z UID:9864-1654531200-1654534800@rna.umich.edu SUMMARY:RNA Innovation Seminar: Selene L. Fernandez-Valverde\, Ph.D. DESCRIPTION:“Long non-coding RNAs as evolutionarily fluid chromatin weavers”\nSelene L. Fernandez-Valverde\, Ph.D.\nPrincipal Investigator\nAdvanced Genomics Unit\nLANGEBIO\, Cinvestav \n  \nFlyer in PDF \nHYBRID SEMINAR:\nIn-person: BSRB\, ABC seminar rooms\nZoom: https://umich.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3ga-wcUYSgqPEKw57DSfpg \nKeywords: lncRNAs\, Genomics\, Genome topology \nAbstract: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have recently emerged as prominent elements of the regulatory transactions of eukaryotic genomes. Many of the know regulatory functions of lncRNAs in both animals and plants rely on the rearrangement of chromatin through direct interactions or recruitment of chromatin-modifying elements. In this talk\, I will discuss the difficulty in identifying evolutionary conservation in lncRNAs\, and how we characterize these evolutionarily volatile elements in the context of their role as regulators of the three-dimensional conformation of nuclear chromatin. I will focus on our findings resulting from the concurrent characterization of transcripts\, tridimensional chromatin structure and direct RNA-DNA interactions in closely related plant species. I will also discuss how such techniques have vast potential to illuminate biomedically relevant lncRNAs when analyzed from a comparative genomics perspective. URL:https://rna.umich.edu/events/selene-fernandez-valverde/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20220912T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20220912T170000 DTSTAMP:20260403T141812 CREATED:20220826T123641Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220829T141846Z UID:10539-1662998400-1663002000@rna.umich.edu SUMMARY:RNA Innovation Seminar: Zhipeng Lu\, USC DESCRIPTION:“RNA Structures\, Interactions and Modifications”\nZhipeng Lu (鲁志鹏)\, Ph.D.\nAssistant Professor\nPharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences\nUniversity of Southern California \n  \nFlyer in PDF \nIn-person: BSRB\, ABC seminar rooms / hybrid link \nAbstract: RNA in living cells are in constant motion\, form dynamic structures\, and interact with many molecules\, including other RNAs. Direct determination of RNA structures and interactions in vivo is essential to understanding their functions\, but has been challenging in the past. We developed a number of novel chemical and computational tools to capture the 2D and 3D RNA structurome and interactome in cells\, providing a comprehensive view of RNA conformations that underlie their roles in gene regulation and human diseases. Applications of these methods revealed new mechanisms in lncRNA functions\, RNA modifications and splicing regulation. URL:https://rna.umich.edu/events/zhipeng-lu/ CATEGORIES:Seminar END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20220926T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20220926T170000 DTSTAMP:20260403T141812 CREATED:20220902T184752Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220906T131746Z UID:10554-1664208000-1664211600@rna.umich.edu SUMMARY:RNA Innovation Seminar: David Shechner\, University of Washington DESCRIPTION:“Meet the neighbors: A universal technology for probing RNA-interactions and RNA-scaffolded subcellular compartments in situ”\nDavid Shechner Ph.D.\nAssistant Professor of Pharmacology\nUniversity of Washington \n  \nFlyer in PDF \nIn-person: BSRB\, ABC seminar rooms / hybrid link \nKeywords: RNA\, proximity-biotinylation\, subcellular architecture\, nuclear architecture\, spatial biology\, biomolecular condensates\, interactomics\, nucleolus\, Xist. \n  \nAbstract: In the context of the living cell\, very little RNA is naked. RNA molecules form complex\, dynamic networks of molecular interactions that underlie a host of biochemical functions\, and which are central to organizing subcellular compartmentalization. In humans\, for example\, RNAs are key determinants of chromatin folding\, and they nucleate and scaffold a host of biomolecular condensates that collectively control cellular metabolic\, epigenetic\, and stress-signaling pathways. But\, characterizing these structures—identifying the biomolecules within an RNA’s subcellular microenvironment—remains technically cumbersome. \nTo address this challenge\, I introduce oligonucleotide-mediated proximity-interactome mapping (O-MAP)\, a straightforward and flexible method for identifying the proteins\, RNAs\, and genomic loci near a target RNA\, within its native cellular context. O-MAP uses programmable oligonucleotide probes to deliver proximity-biotinylating enzymes to a target RNA. These enzymes then pervasively label all nearby (~20 nm) molecules\, enabling their enrichment by streptavidin pulldown. O-MAP induces exceptionally precise RNA-targeted biotinylation\, and its modular design enables straightforward validation of probe pools and real-space optimization of the biotinylation radius\, thus overcoming key technical challenges for the field. Moreover\, O-MAP can be readily ported across different target RNAs and specimen types\, including patient-derived organoids and tissue samples. And\, O-MAP achieves this without complex cell-line engineering\, using only off-the-shelf parts and standard manipulations. \nUsing a small cohort of model RNAs\, we have developed a robust O-MAP toolkit for proteomic (O-MAP-MS)\, transcriptomic (O-MAP-Seq) and genome interaction (O-MAP-ChIP) discovery. O-MAP of the 47S-pre-rRNA—the long noncoding RNA that scaffolds the nucleolus—enabled a comprehensive “multi-omic” analysis of this subnuclear structure\, and revealed hundreds of novel nucleolar protein-\, RNA-\, and chromatin interactions. O-MAP of XIST—the master regulator of X-chromosome inactivation—revealed novel RNAs that may play a role in this process\, and unanticipated interactions between XIST and other chromatin-regulatory RNAs. Finally\, targeting O-MAP to introns within a key cardiac developmental gene enabled unprecedented molecular dissection of a subnuclear compartment that would be impossible to purify biochemically. \nGiven these results\, we believe that O-MAP will be a powerful tool for elucidating the mechanisms by which RNA molecules drive subcellular compartmentalization in time and space\, with particular impact on our understanding of nuclear architecture. Moreover\, with O-MAP’s precision\, flexibility\, and ease\, we anticipate its broad use in studying countless other RNA phenomena throughout biology\, and as a clinical diagnostic- and discovery tool. URL:https://rna.umich.edu/events/david-shechner/ CATEGORIES:Seminar END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20221010T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20221010T170000 DTSTAMP:20260403T141812 CREATED:20220902T191232Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220920T185235Z UID:10559-1665417600-1665421200@rna.umich.edu SUMMARY:RNA Innovation Seminar: Polly Hsu\, Michigan State University DESCRIPTION:“Roadblocks on mRNAs? Gene Expression Regulation by Upstream Open Reading Frames in Plants”\nPolly Hsu\, Ph.D.\nAssistant Professor\nBiochemistry and Molecular Biology\nMichigan State University \n  \n  \nFlyer in PDF \nIn-person: BSRB\, ABC seminar rooms / hybrid link \nKeywords: translation\, uORFs\, nonsense-mediated decay \nAbstract: 30-70% of mRNAs in humans\, mice and plants contain short ORFs\, called upstream ORFs (uORFs)\, in their 5’ leader sequences. The translation of uORFs is expected to repress the protein synthesis of their downstream main ORF (mORF) and to trigger mRNA degradation\, presumably through nonsense-mediated decay (NMD). I will share our current progress investigating the global and gene-specific mechanisms by which uORFs regulate gene expression in Arabidopsis and tomato. I will discuss 1) different classes of uORFs revealed by Ribo-seq\, 2) the roles of uORFs on transcription factor and protein kinase genes\, 3) the mRNA stability of uORF-containing genes\, and 4) cellular regulatory mechanisms to include or avoid uORFs on mRNA sequences. URL:https://rna.umich.edu/events/polly-hsu/ CATEGORIES:Seminar END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20221017T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20221017T170000 DTSTAMP:20260403T141812 CREATED:20220902T191827Z LAST-MODIFIED:20221013T144443Z UID:10562-1666022400-1666026000@rna.umich.edu SUMMARY:RNA Therapeutics Seminar: John Cooke\, M.D.\, Ph.D.\, Medical Director\, Center for RNA Therapeutics\, Houston Methodist DESCRIPTION:“The Democratization of RNA Therapeutics”\nJohn Cooke\, M.D.\, Ph.D.\nJoseph C. “Rusty” Walter and Carole Walter Looke Presidential Distinguished Chair in Cardiovascular Disease Research\, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences\nChair\, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences\nProfessor of Cardiovascular Sciences\, Academic Institute\nFull Member\, Research Institute\nDirector\, Center for Cardiovascular Regeneration\nMedical Director\, Center for RNA Therapeutics\nHouston Methodist \n  \nFlyer in PDF \nIn-person: BSRB\, ABC room with zoom option \nAbstract: mRNA therapeutics is a disruptive therapeutic technology\, as small biotech startups\, as well as academic groups\, can rapidly develop new and personalized mRNA constructs. In the Texas Medica Center\, we have established a Center for RNA Therapeutics that comprises faculty innovators\, as well as a translational assembly line to bring great RNA ideas to life. Academic groups and small companies work with us as we innovate\, design\, synthesize\, purify\, encapsulate and test mRNA therapies. In addition to providing pre-clinical GLP testing\, we have established cGMP-compliant manufacturing capability and quality control methods to support pre-clinical GLP studies and phase I clinical trials; and have a first-in-man phase 1 clinical trial unit. To support phase II and phase III trials\, and commercialization\, we have licensed our proprietary manufacturing processes to VGXI Inc\, a local company with large-batch manufacturing capabilities for DNA-based gene therapies. With this collaboration\, we have built a seamless transition for academic groups and small companies to go from pre-clinical development and first-in-man clinical trials supported by our hospital-based program\, to late-stage clinical trials and commercialization supported by our industry partner VGXI\, Inc. \n  \nFlyer in PDF URL:https://rna.umich.edu/events/john-cooke/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20221121T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20221121T170000 DTSTAMP:20260403T141812 CREATED:20220902T192913Z LAST-MODIFIED:20221111T170833Z UID:10572-1669046400-1669050000@rna.umich.edu SUMMARY:RNA Innovation Seminar: Jeremy Schroeder\, Biological Chemistry DESCRIPTION:“RNA:DNA hybrids cause genome instability through nucleobase deamination\, genomic rearrangements\, and induction of the DNA damage response”\nJeremy Schroeder\, Ph.D.\nResearch Investigator\nBiological Chemistry\nUniversity of Michigan \n  \n  \nIn-person: BSRB\, ABC seminar rooms / hybrid link \nAbstract: The overall impacts of naturally occurring RNA:DNA hybrids on genome integrity\, and the relative contributions of ribonucleases H to mitigating the negative effects of these hybrids\, remain unknown. Here\, we use the model bacterium Bacillus subtilis to investigate the contribution of RNases HII (RnhB) and HIII (RnhC) to hybrid removal\, DNA replication\, and mutagenesis genome-wide. Deletion of either rnhB or rnhC alters RNA:DNA hybrid formation\, but with distinct patterns of mutagenesis and hybrid accumulation. For ΔrnhB\, hybrids form preferentially in genes transcribed co-directionally with DNA replication. For ΔrnhC\, hybrids accumulate in all genes regardless of their orientation\, and DNA replication is disrupted leading to transversions and structural variation. We find that base deamination in the displaced strand of an R-loop leads to transition mutations in coding sequences\, independent of gene orientation. Our results resolve the outstanding question of how hybrids in native genomic contexts interact with replication to cause mutagenesis. URL:https://rna.umich.edu/events/jeremy-schroeder/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20221205T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20221205T170000 DTSTAMP:20260403T141812 CREATED:20220902T194437Z LAST-MODIFIED:20221128T001805Z UID:10583-1670256000-1670259600@rna.umich.edu SUMMARY:RNA Innovation Seminar: Francesca Luca\, Wayne State University DESCRIPTION:“Genetic\, environmental\, and developmental factors in immune cell gene expression and asthma”\nFrancesca Luca\, Ph.D.\nProfessor\nCenter for Molecular Medicine and Genetics\nWayne State University \n  \n  \nIn-person: BSRB\, ABC seminar rooms / hybrid link \nAbstract: Asthma is an immunological disorder with genetic and environmental components. In the last ten years we have been studying genetic and environmental factors that contribute to asthma severity in children living in the metropolitan Detroit area\, as part of the NHLBI funded project: Asthma in the Lives of Families Today (ALOFT). We have performed bulk and single cell RNA-sequency in this cohort and uncovered psychosocial and genetic factors associated with asthma. I will present our findings on the dynamic genetic regulation of gene expression in response to immunomodulators and during pubertal development. I will also discuss the importance of considering environmental and developmental contexts when using molecular data to study the genetic risk of asthma and other complex traits. \nKeywords: Gene expression\, gene-environment interactions\, eQTL\, asthma\, single cell genomics URL:https://rna.umich.edu/events/francesca-luca/ END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR