The Lifetime of an mRNA
SunTag runoff experiment. Over time the active ribosomes (green) finish translating, but the mRNA (red) remains. There is a slight offset in the channels for illustration purposes (i.e. the camera was bumped). Data by Dr. Daniel Goldman.
In eukaryotes, we follow the steps of mRNA synthesis and processing in the nucleus, translation by the ribosome in the cytoplasm, and mRNA degradation. In bacteria, we similarly explore the interconnections between translation termination and mRNA quality control. Much of our current focus is on the mechanisms of mRNA quality control in eukaryotic systems.
We are using SGA screens in yeast to identify new factors involved in mRNA quality control events. We are using CRISPR screens in mammalian cells to explore stop codon read through and Nonsense-mediated decay (NMD).
We are using microscopy and single mRNA imaging with SunTag to study the molecular details of these and other translation events in real time in living cells.
