Professor of Molecular Biology & Microbiology
Education
BS, Chemistry, MIT
MSc, Neuroscience, MIT
PhD, Microbiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Postdoctoral Training, Pasteur Institute; MIT
Location
Campus: Boston
Office: Jaharis 408
Laboratory: Jaharis 401
Contact Information
Office Phone: 617-636-6935
Lab Phone: 617-636-3645
E-mail 
Links
Research Website: 
Recent Publications: 
Graduate Programs
Biochemistry, Genetics, Molecular Microbiology
Research Synopsis
We are interested in the post-transcriptional processing of eukaryotic messenger RNA and its role in the regulation of gene expression. Our research uses genetics, biochemistry, and molecular biology to analyze factors which catalyze cleavage and polyadenylation of mRNA precursor. We want to understand how these factors interact with each other and the RNA substrate to assemble a functional processing complex, as well as how these activities are regulated during the cell cycle or during different growth conditions. Another goal is to examine how the polyadenylation machinery is coordinated with other processes involved in mRNA biosynthesis, such as splicing, transcription termination, and nuclear export. We are also using high throughput screening technology to identify inhibitors of polyadenylation that might lead to new anti-fungal or anti-cancer drugs.
Lab Members
Derick Hoskinson, PhD Student in Genetics 
Fathima Nazeer, Postdoctoral Scholar
Erika Pearson, Postdoctoral Scholar