Transcription in Cell Proliferation, Muscle Differentiation and Human Disease

The expression of protein encoding genes is essential for the proper execution of all cellular processes. My lab focuses on understanding the role of gene transcription in the regulation of cell proliferation and muscle differentiation in human disease. We are particularly interested in the molecular mechanisms governing the transcription of genes that control the cell division cycle. The major objective of this work is to uncover new therapeutic targets for inhibiting the uncontrolled proliferation characteristic of tumor cells.

Disruption of the transcription process can lead to the development of human degenerative diseases. We focus on myotonic dystrophy (DM) the most common form of adult onset muscular dystrophy. Myotonic dystrophy is genetically linked to nucleotide repeat expansions in the noncoding region of two unrelated genes. The expanded mRNA transcripts accumulate in the nuclei of diseased cells and disrupt muscle gene expression. We use a variety of molecular, biochemical and cellular techniques to investigate the process of gene transcription and the protein components involved under normal and pathologic conditions. Our long-term goal is to gain a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms that contribute to disease onset and gather information for evaluating new therapeutic approaches.