We study the importance of spatial organization of regulatory protein/RNA complexes within the cytoplasm.  Our model organism is the nematode, C. elegans.  C. elegans reproduction is sustained by germ cells that give rise to eggs and sperm.  Our lab investigates how the germ cell RNA regulatory machinery is organized in cytoplasmic organelles called P granules (or germ granules).  The strategy of assembling important regulators in cytoplasmic foci is conserved across species, and we anticipate that our findings will shed light on the functions of conserved regulators in development and disease.

We found cooperation between germ granules and a RNA regulatory protein FBF-2 (a PUF family member). PUF proteins are expressed in stem cells and are important for supporting stem cell function. PUF proteins including FBF-2 localize to cytoplasmic RNA granules but the regulation and significance of this localization is unknown.  We work on defining the structural features and molecular interactions directing FBF-2 to germ granules. Additionally, we are investigating how the FBF-2 function is regulated by the presence of germ granules.

BIOB 301 -  Developmental Biology
BIOH 447 - Genes and Development 
BIOB 467/567 - Molecular Analysis of Development