Lidia Vasilieva (Vasiljeva)

RNAs are involved in many key cellular processes, where minor alterations in RNA levels are often detrimental and can lead to diseases in humans. Levels of individual transcripts (protein-coding messenger RNA, mRNA, and non-coding RNA, ncRNA) are regulated in response to environmental cues, during cell differentiation and development; however, the mechanisms underpinning these processes remains poorly understood.

Our research aims to understand how RNA polymerase II (Pol II) transcription and the RNA exosome complex which is a major cellular RNA decay machinery, control levels of individual transcripts. To achieve this, our laboratory is using multidisciplinary approaches, combining biochemistry, structural analyses, genetics and genomics.

We are focused on three central questions:

1. How is mRNA processing coupled to Pol II transcription?
2. How does phosphorylation of Pol II transcription machinery contribute to transcription regulation?
3. How are individual transcripts targeted for degradation?