One of the challenges of becoming an expert is to keep exploring broadly while being highly focused. Alyssa English, Ph.D., a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Stephanie Moon’s lab, has found that by extensively studying basic science and rigorously applying the scientific method, she has acquired a strong foundation that allows her to tackle many different…
Alyssa English, Ph.D. Postdoctoral research fellow Human Genetics, Medical School Faculty-Mentor: Dr. Stephanie Moon Moon Lab Website Alyssa’s LinkedIn Alyssa’s Twitter Alyssa’s Google Scholar Mutations in EIF2AK2, a crucial regulator of protein biosynthesis, memory storage, and synaptic plasticity, are associated with the genetic neurodevelopmental disorder Leukoencephalopathy, Developmental Delay, and Episodic Neurologic Regression (LEUDEN) syndrome…
On May 20th, 2021, the Board of Regents approved the following promotions of our RNA research community members: Dawen Cai, associate professor of cell and developmental biology, with tenure, Medical School, and associate professor of biophysics, without tenure, College of LSA (featured scientist) Justin A. Colacino, associate professor of environmental health sciences, with tenure, and associate…
Sydney Rosenblum Graduate Student Program in Chemical Biology Rackham Graduate School Faculty-Mentor: Amanda Garner Garner Lab Broadly, I am interested in RNA and RNA-protein interactions as drug targets and using chemical biology to develop methods of probing or inhibiting those interactions. How does RNA relate to your research interests, and why? I…
With great sadness we join the entire University of Michigan community in mourning Charles R. Doering, Ph.D., and expressing our deepest condolences to his colleagues, friends and loved ones. Charles (Charlie) Doering was the Nicholas D. Kazarinoff Collegiate Professor of Complex Systems, Mathematics and Physics and was the Director of the Center for the Study…
Rachel Torrez Graduate Student, Ph.D. Candidate Department of Medicinal Chemistry College of Pharmacy Faculty-Mentor: Dr. Amanda Garner and Dr. Melanie Ohi Twitter: @torrez_rach Linkedin Ohi Lab Garner Lab My research focuses on using cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to study the structure and function of an enzyme called DICER1. DICER1 is a large, highly dynamic, multidomain…
Maha Hanafi, Ph.D. Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy Alumna, April 2021 Faculty-Mentor: Professor Nouri Neamati LinkedIn: Maha Zidan My research involves drug discovery where I focus on identifying novel anticancer agents for the treatment of various cancers especially pancreatic cancer being one of the most aggressive malignancies. I am always excited about my research and…
Neurons result from a highly complex and unique series of cell divisions. For example, in fruit flies, the process starts with stem cells that divide into mother cells (progenitor cells), that then divide into precursor cells that eventually become neurons. A team of the University of Michigan (U-M), spearheaded by Nigel Michki, a graduate student,…
Launched at the initiative of the University of Michigan Center for RNA Biomedicine, and inaugurated on April 22, 2020, with a seminar hosted by the Yale Center for RNA Science and Medicine, the RNA Collaborative Seminar Series is a growing grassroots effort, now supported by the international RNA Society and involving 21 RNA research partners…
Dawen Cai, Ph.D. Associate Professor Cell and Developmental Biology, Medical School Biophysics, LS&A Affiliated with Neuroscience Graduate Program, Medical School Cai Lab Michigan Expert What is the role of RNA in your research? We use scRNAseq to identify transcription factors that play critical roles in determining neuronal subtypes. Is there a layman image to…
ANN ARBOR—To better understand how RNA in bacteria gives rise to protein—and along the way, target these processes in the design of new antibiotics—researchers are turning their attention to the unique way this process happens in bacteria. In eukaryotic cells, transcription (the process by which information in a DNA strand is copied into messenger RNA)…
Ahmed Malik, Ph.D. MSTP fellow Neuroscience Graduate Program and Department of Neurology Medical School Faculty-Mentor: Sami Barmada, M.D., Ph.D. Barmada Lab Google Scholar READ HIS STORY My dissertation work focused on the DNA- and RNA-binding protein Matrin 3. Mutations in this protein cause inherited neurodegenerative and muscular disease, and Matrin 3 pathology is also seen…
A Ph.D. dissertation is a huge accomplishment, resulting from four, five or more years of intense research and training. To become a Ph.D. is a remarkable challenge both scientifically and intellectually that requires a deep personal and emotional commitment. A doctoral defense is not only the culmination of years of hard work, but it also…
Top left to right: Markos Koutmos, Sara Aton, Chris Lima, and Kevin Weeks; bottom left to right: Feng Zhang, Tracy Johnson and Brenda Bass. At the panel discussion of our 5th Annual Symposium held March 25–26, 2021, we asked the keynote speakers for advice for trainees and mentors. Brenda Bass from the University of Utah,…
With over 550 participants, this two-day symposium virtually gathered the vibrant RNA research community from the University of Michigan (U-M), the US, and around the world. The symposium opened with remarks by Nils Walter, co-director of the U-M Center for RNA Biomedicine, who reminded the attendees of the importance of RNA research for society, as…
Our 5th Annual Symposium,”Processing RNA,” March 25–26, 2021, 11:00–2:30 pm ET Can you match our speakers with their topics? SYMPOSIUM REGISTRATION Answer SYMPOSIUM DETAILED INFORMATION
Michelle Paulsen Research Laboratory Specialist Intermediate Bru-Seq Lab – Mats Ljungman Lab (Center for RNA Biomedicine core facility) Radiation Oncology, Medical School Website What is the role of RNA in your research? In the Ljungman Lab, RNA features predominantly as we developed the Bru-seq suite of techniques almost 20 years ago. Bru-seq is a next…
Arushi Varshney, Ph.D. Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics Medical School Faculty-Mentor: Stephen C. J. Parker Google scholar LinkedIn Twitter Through my research, I aim to better understand how predisposition to complex metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes (T2D) is encoded in our DNA. I employ computational and statistical approaches to analyze large high-throughput data sets…
Becky Glineburg, Ph.D. Postdoctorate Neurology, Medical School Faculty-Mentor: Peter Todd, M.D., Ph.D. Google Scholar I’m fascinated with how nucleic acid structure dictates various molecular pathways and mechanisms. Currently I’m investigating how GC-rich RNA repeat expansions promote an aberrant form of translation (RAN translation) and how this process contributes to neurodegenerative disease. I am…
Over 1,450 people attended our webinar with Melissa Moore, Chief Scientific Officer at Moderna Therapeutics, on March 3rd, 2021. In her presentation, Dr. Moore explained how the mRNA vaccine works, and how it was developed in record time of just 45 days. To put an end to this pandemic, she strongly encouraged the audience to…
