Our Research Interests
Gene regulation in the cell is an extremely complicated process. From transcription to translation, thousands of proteins and RNAs are regulated and processed in order to achieve the cellular functions. Our laboratory is interested in understanding the functional roles of non-coding RNA and RNA/protein complexes using different approaches including Genomic, RNomic, Proteomic and Structural biology.
Current Research Projects
Understanding the Small RNA-mediated Regulation of Drug Resistant Bacteria
Small RNAs have been shown to mediate a wide range of physiological circuits in cell, in particular to provide immediate response to adapt the sudden change of the environment. Using high-throughput sequencing technique, we sequenced the small RNA repertoire of different drug resistant bacteria isolated from clinical strains and correlated with the profiles of the corresponding transcriptomes. We aim at understanding the molecular network mediated by small RNAs in drug resistant bacteria and identifying druggable target for future therapeutic development.
RNA Chaperone in Bacteria
RNA binding proteins and protein/RNA complexes are key components of post-transcriptional regulatory networks in diverse organisms. Using different techniques such as CLIP-seq, RIP-seq, one can determine the global networks and their regulatory roles of these masters of the orchestra. We have identified several global RNA binding proteins in drug resistant bacteria and is going to determine their global maps of their control networks as well as their functions.
Outer Membrane Vesicles
Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) secreted from the bacterial cell are considered as the carrier that facilitates the transport of protein, RNA and DNA among the cells. However, their functional roles in disseminating drug resistant genes and in interacting with the host during infection remain unclear. Our goal is to identify the ingredients of OMVs and determine the roles of key components in the context of dissemination of drug resistance and host interaction, which will help in intervening the spreading of drug resistance and bacterial infection.
Adaption of pathogenic strains
Adaption to the new niche is one of the challenge to the bacteria during infection. Gene regulation that overcome the difficulty caused by the change of conditions involves modulation and coupling of different pathways in order to produce synergistic effects. In this project, we used RNA sequencing and proteomic profiling to identify the key components of adaption, particular in the host-microbes interaction. We aim at identifying the determinants that control and regulate the adaption of bacteria.
