Graduate Programs in the Life Sciences

Research Focus

My lab investigates molecular mechanisms of gene regulation in eukaryotes using as a primary model the robustly and rapidly activated heat shock genes. Our strategy is to develop and to apply microscopic and molecular methods that provide high-resolution views of the protein/DNA architecture and regulation of these genes in vivo, both in normal cells and in cells where particular transcription factors are depleted or disrupted by RNAi, mutations, drugs, or RNA aptamer inhibitors. The RNA aptamers are of particular interest to us as they provide alternatives to small-molecular-weight "drugs" and can be selected in vitro from a combinatorial sequence pool for their affinity to a target molecule. The chemical and biological properties of RNAs that allow efficient production and regeneration have made such aptamers versatile molecular probes of biological mechanisms like transcription regulation. RNA aptamers possess tremendous potential relative to small organic compounds in experimental and therapeutic manipulations. When expressed under the control of specific promoters, they are able to modulate or perturb molecular interactions with high temporal and spatial precision in tissue culture cells or animals.

Educational Background

• Ph.D., Biochemistry, Brandeis University, 1975