R e s e a r c h
Research in our laboratories focuses on ribosome biology and co-translational protein quality control. Every protein in cells is made by ribosomes, complex molecular machines assembled from multiple RNA and protein components. One question we address in our studies is how cells mitigate defects in ribosome biogenesis, which are known to be detrimental for protein synthesis and could compromise a variety of cellular functions. The second line of our labs’ research is to understand what happens to ribosomes that become damaged during their lifecycle in the cell. Our studies have shown that environmental factors such as oxidative stress, exposure to toxic metals, and metabolic diseases may induce molecular damage in ribosomal components, leading to ribosome malfunction. We are using yeast and mammalian systems to investigate the mechanisms by which the cells minimize impact of the malfunctioning ribosomes on cellular proteostasis. Through this research, we hope to obtain new insights into pathological changes of the proteome associated with environmental stress, aging, and neurodegenerative diseases.
Shcherbik
The main focus of our group is on the cooperation between the ubiquitin-proteasome system and co-translational protein quality control. We also explore cellular surveillance mechanisms that ensure proper ribosome function, with Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model organism.
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Joint projects
Our recent finding of site-specific, iron-dependent chemical hydrolysis of yeast rRNA in response to oxidative stress opened an intriguing research area involving effects of transition metals on ribosomes in yeast and mammalian cells. Another area of common exploration is the regulatory role of the eukaryotic rRNA’s expansion segments during protein synthesis.
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Pestov
Our group focuses on mammalian ribosome biogenesis and the signaling pathways that monitor this essential process. We are particularly interested in stress-induced damage to ribosomal components and how changes in ribosome homeostasis contribute to human disease.
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Collaborators
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Christopher U.T. Hellen, DPhil
Professor in the department of Cell Biology at the State University of New York (SUNY) Downstate Health Sciences University [email protected] Loren Williams, PhD
Professor at the Institute for Bioengineering & Biological Sciences at Georgia Tech [email protected] Mercedes Dosil, PhD
Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Salamanca (USAL) Centro de Investigación del Cancer, USAL/CSIC Salamanca, Spain Zhiyuan Shen, MD, PhD Professor of Radiation Oncology, Chief, Division of Radiation Cancer Biology, Rutgers University |
Yury O. Chernoff, PhD
Professor at the School of Biological Sciences at Georgia Tech [email protected] Jun Yin, PhD
Associate Professor in the department of Chemistry at Georgia State University [email protected] Tatiana Chernova, PhD
Assistant Professor in the deparment of Biochemistry at Emory University School of Medicine [email protected] X.F. Steven Zheng, PhD University Professor and Chief, Division of Cancer Pharmacology, Rutgers University |
Postdoctoral opportunities
We are actively looking for post-doctoral fellows to join our lab.
If you are interested, we ask you to go through our publications and come up with project ideas before you contact us.
If you are interested, we ask you to go through our publications and come up with project ideas before you contact us.
Undergraduate/Graduate student opportunities
All Rowan University graduate and undergraduate students are invited to join our lab.
If you are not a student at Rowan but are still interested in our work, get in touch with us.
If you are not a student at Rowan but are still interested in our work, get in touch with us.
