In our laboratory we seek to obtain a molecular understanding of how transient protein-nucleic acid recognition events affect enzymatic activity in important biological systems. We use methods of structural biology to study the features of a biological system, and complement the structural data with mechanistic biophysical, biochemical, and molecular biology methods.
Non-coding RNA and Cancer
We are investigating the a non-coding RNA, Brain Cytoplasmic RNA 1 (BCYRN1, BC200) a 200 nucleotide, primate-specific, long non-coding RNA that is produced at high levels in invasive carcinomas, whereas in normal tissue or benign tumors BC200 is not detectable at significant levels. Remarkably, studies of BC200 knockdown by our group and others demonstrate tumour-cell specific suppression of cell growth. We are investigating the role that BC200 plays in tumour cell proliferation/migration and investigating possible therapeutic approaches to disrupt BC200 function.Funded by:
CIHR Project Grant 2020-2025 (Molecular & Cell Biology of Cancer Panel).
Previously funded by:
University of Manitoba Tri-Agency Bridge Funding (2019-2020)
Regulation of Pattern Recognition Receptors by Viral and Endogenous RNA
We are investigating the role of RNA-protein interactions in mediating host cell immune response to viral infection using a combination of structural biology and biophysics. We focus primarily on the family of 2'-5'-oligoadenylate synthetases (OAS) and their interactions with highly-structure double-stranded viral RNA.Funded by:
NSERC Discovery Grant 2024-2029 (1501- Genes, Cells, & Molecules).
Previously funded by:
NSERC Discovery Grant 2015-2024 (1501- Genes, Cells, & Molecules).
NSERC Discovery Grant 2010-2015 (1501- Genes, Cells, & Molecules)