Is 'junk DNA' involved in gene editing in human cells. Exciting results suggest that non-coding RNAs (ncRNA), some of which emanate from regions in the human genome traditionally known as “junk DNA”, actually function to regulate protein-coding gene transcription. The goal of this project is to explore the role of ncRNAs on a genome-wide level to determine those proteins involved in this process and to what extent this process results in directed genome editing. Knowledge of the ncRNA pathways m ....Is 'junk DNA' involved in gene editing in human cells. Exciting results suggest that non-coding RNAs (ncRNA), some of which emanate from regions in the human genome traditionally known as “junk DNA”, actually function to regulate protein-coding gene transcription. The goal of this project is to explore the role of ncRNAs on a genome-wide level to determine those proteins involved in this process and to what extent this process results in directed genome editing. Knowledge of the ncRNA pathways may lead to a novel methodology to activate silenced genes as well as determine the role of ncRNAs in genome evolution.Read moreRead less
Epigenetic inheritance: how does it work? This project aims to determine the mechanisms responsible for the inheritance of acquired traits. Sometimes the environment can have effects on the phenotype of not only the exposed individual, but also their children and grandchildren. While it is clear that this can occur, what is not clear is the mechanism by which this happens and the frequency at which it happens. This project will use the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans, innovative new techni ....Epigenetic inheritance: how does it work? This project aims to determine the mechanisms responsible for the inheritance of acquired traits. Sometimes the environment can have effects on the phenotype of not only the exposed individual, but also their children and grandchildren. While it is clear that this can occur, what is not clear is the mechanism by which this happens and the frequency at which it happens. This project will use the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans, innovative new techniques for the discovery of low abundance RNA molecules, and fluorescence microscopy to analyse structures within the cell nucleus to determine what the molecular mechanism is by which this "transgenerational epigenetic inheritance" occurs. This will have an impact on evolutionary theory, as well as long-term consequences for the understanding of human health and disease, and the impact of a changing climate on agriculture.Read moreRead less