Rafal Ciosk

Regulation of mRNA in animal development

Regulated mRNA translation, localization, and turnover, are crucial for normal development and homeostasis. This is especially evident in the reproductive cells, in which gene expression is controlled largely through mRNA translation. For example, many mRNAs that are 'stored' in oocytes in a repressed form are translated only during embryogenesis. In this way, information encoded by a maternal transcript is transmitted in an epigenetic-like fashion into the progeny, where it directs early development.

Many aspects of mRNA metabolism depend on RNA-binding proteins. Our main interest is in elucidating the molecular mechanism by which conserved RNA-binding proteins control mRNA storage, translation, and turnover. We are also interested in explaining how these mechanisms control fundamental biological processes, such as maintenance of tissue homeostasis by the self-renewing stem cells, or cell fate remodeling during the oocyte-to-embryo transition.

Our experimental model, the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, is genetically tractable, rapid, and amendable to biochemical analysis. In our research we combine genetic, molecular, and biochemical approaches with genomics.

Additional information
FMI report pages for Rafal Ciosk

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Rafal Ciosk
Isabella Bogdal