Our research.
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.
