Lidia Vasilieva (Vasiljeva)

Wellcome Trust Senior Research Fellow, group leader

Transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression in eukaryotes

Transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression in eukaryotes

RNAs are involved in many key cellular processes, where minor alterations in mRNA levels are often detrimental and can lead to diseases in humans. Levels of individual mRNAs 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 transcription and the RNA exosome complex which is a major cellular RNA decay machinery, regulate levels of individual mRNAs. 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 RNA polymerase II transcription?

2. How is Pol II dislodged from DNA at the end of transcription?

3. How are individual transcripts targeted for degradation?

MSD Subject areas

Courses

Direct Entry Research Degrees

Doctoral Training Centre Degrees

Chromosome and Developmental Biology