Mechanisms for regulating gene expression

We use quantitative proteomics and transcriptomics, allied to computational biology, in order to study fundamental aspects of molecular systems biology. Current interests include chaperones and proteostasis in yeast, developmental proteomics in Drosophila, and translational control in yeast as mediated by RNA binding protein and RNP granules.

Principal investigator: Professor Simon Hubbard

Genetics of cardiovascular disease

We are interested in understanding how cells respond to stimuli by inhibiting some biological processes and activating others. Responses involve not only changes in gene expression, but also changes in translation, protein turnover and the whole network of protein interactions. Crucially, some genetic variants can lead to an inadequate response that can result in disease. We use computational biology approaches in the identification of variants linked to diseases, and the analysis and integration of multi-omics data.

Principal investigator: Dr David Talavera

Non-coding RNA structure, function and evolutions

We are interested in the structure, function and evolution of genes whose final products are functional RNAs. We generate and analyse genome-scale datasets, in particular to understand microRNAs. MicroRNAs are a fascinating class of tiny RNA molecules that are involved in the regulation of gene expression, and play roles in essentially all biological processes in animals and plants. We manage the world-wide repository for microRNA sequence information, miRBase, and are responsible for the nomenclature of published microRNA genes. We use a wide range of computational tools and data analysis methods, deep sequencing, transcriptomics, and RNA structure prediction, and we collaborate widely with developmental and molecular biologists.

Principal investigator: Professor Sam Griffiths Jones