Seminar: Dr. Timothy A. Bolger, “D-E-A-D or Alive: The Control of RNA-Protein Dynamics during Cell Stress and Oncogenesis”

Our research in the Bolger lab has dual goals: 1. addressing fundamental biological questions, and 2. utilizing this knowledge to advance human health. The Bolger laboratory uses the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model system, and takes advantage of the combination of genetics, biochemistry, and cell biology allowed by yeast work. Our long-term goal in fundamental biology is to uncover the regulation of mRNP dynamics. Specifically, we are focusing on the in vivo roles, molecular targets, and regulation of DEAD-box proteins. Presently, we are examining the regulation of Ded1 in translation, both by Gle1 and by post-translational modifications. We are also interested in examining the function and regulation of other DEAD-box proteins. Our research will not only greatly increase our understanding of how these factors function in translation but will elucidate potential mechanisms for control of gene expression, including aiding future studies of functional coupling between mRNA export and translation.

- from Dr. Bolger's website