The discovery of new classes of RNA and RNA structural motifs with regulatory and catalytic functions have redefined the central dogma of molecular biology and caused a paradigm shift in both basic, medical, and agricultural research. RNA plays a crucial role in regulation of gene expression and cellular processes in normal and stress physiology; however, the RNA structure-function relationship and the underlying biochemical mechanism remain elusive.
Our research focuses are to develop (bio)chemical technologies to decipher the hidden layers of information in RNA; identify the RNA binding partners and molecular basis of interactions; and elucidate the mechanistic roles of RNA in regulatory pathways, stress physiologies, cell differentiation, organism development, as well as disease pathology. Our group's long-term ambition is to uncover the central RNA players in stress physiologies and diseases that could reveal novel RNA-mediated gene regulations, as well as to develop targeting strategies for manipulation of gene expression and potential biotechnological applications, bringing our research closer relevance to improving the quality of human life. Our three main research themes are : 1) G-quadruplex Structure and Function ; 2) RNA Biology and Gene Regulation ; 3) Aptamer Development and Application. Please refer to PUBLICATIONS for more details. |