The research focus of my laboratory is to elucidate how neurons establish individual identity in the developing nervous system and why only specific neuron subtypes are vulnerable to neurodegenerative diseases. We tackle these questions by studying noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) and their regulatory roles during motor neuron (MN) generation and degeneration.
"DNA→RNA→Protein" is the central dogma of molecular biology, in which RNA serves as a temporary template for interpreting genetic information to functional proteins. To delve into the roles of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) in generating and degenerating motor neurons. Recent advancements in mammalian transcriptome sequencing have unveiled a startling revelation: over 50% of RNA transcripts lack protein-coding elements, earning them the designation of ncRNAs. Despite garnering increased attention, the functions of most ncRNAs remain elusive, largely due to the absence of robust methodologies for systematically probing their roles within specific cell types. Among ncRNAs, two major classes stand out: small RNAs, such as microRNAs (miRNAs), which play pivotal roles in protein expression repression and fine-tuning, and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), which are primarily implicated in epigenome regulation.
Epitranscriptomics is generally considered a link between RNA modifications and neurological disorders. By exploring RNA modifications, including non-coding RNAs, we aim to elucidate their specific functions and the resulting impacts on cellular and physiological processes underlying neurological disorders.
Given the well-characterized developmental processes in the embryonic central nervous system, particularly the developing spinal cord, our laboratory uses a powerful tool from embryonic stem (ES) cells to dissect the functions of ncRNAs during motor neuron differentiation. Furthermore, our lab utilizes human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to systematically investigate various neurodegenerative diseases' genetic and molecular functions, including aging-associated degenerative diseases.
