RNA Biology
Research Achievements
Group members are making siginificant contributions, achieving international recognition and publishing in high impact journals on aspects of the cell biology and functions of RNA. Recent achievements include: the first characterisation of a human mitochondrial translation release factor (Chrzanowska-Lightowlers), dissection of assembly pathways of snoRNPs crucial for ribosome biogenesis (Watkins); genetic dissection of functions and interactions of the signal recognition particle and unravelling mechanistic details of a novel translational recoding event (Brown); demonstration of mRNA trafficking and localisation as novel, significant processes in mammalian cells (Hesketh); uncovering RNA-based mechanisms of differentiation (Elliott).
Recent funding awards have been from the MRC, BBSRC, Wellcome Trust and IACR.
Research Strategy
Our overarching focus is functions of RNA in Cell Biology. RNA-based post-transcriptional mechanisms are increasingly recognised as critical features of gene expression. The group is growing in strength in this expanding research area. Within this context we foster and strengthen interactions and collaborations between Group members. This provides increased impetus to exploit funding from national and international bodies for research and training. We take advantage of our combined broad knowledge at various levels of RNA biology and of using different organisms (various model organisms and higher eukaryotes) with projects examining organelle, cell and organ function.
RNA biology research is carried out in the Institute of Neuroscience and Institute of Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Institute for Cellular Medicine, Institute of Genetic Medicine and Northern Institute for Cancer Research
Meetings
The Group meets on a regular basis at RNA Interest Group seminars. Details of these are posted on the Newcastle RNA Interest Group website (http://www.ncl.ac.uk/rnaclub)
Staff List
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Professor Caroline Austin
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Dr Jeremy Brown
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Professor Zofia Chrzanowska-Lightowlers
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Professor David Elliott
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Professor Dianne Ford
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Professor John Edward Hesketh
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Professor Robert Lightowlers
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Dr Alison Tyson-Capper
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Dr Nick Watkins
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Dr Andreas Werner
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