[MOS] TODAY November 24, 2009

[Zina Queen]

Seminar on

Modern Optics and Spectroscopy

Molecular tools for studying genetically challenging organisms


Jacquin Niles, MIT

Tuesday, November 24, 2009


12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Several pathogens of global importance, such as Plasmodium 
falciparum, have proven difficult to study due to availability of 
only a very limited molecular toolkit for perturbing protein 
function.  Understanding protein function in its native biological 
context requires the ability to regulate parameters such as 
expression level, timing of expression and localization, which can 
facilitate linking a specific protein to a defined cellular process 
or pathway.  This information can improve both basic understanding of 
the target organism's biology as well as impact therapeutic 
development efforts by providing functionally validated targets.

Here, we present our initial efforts at introducing a generic and 
expandable strategy for experimentally regulating protein expression 
level.  Overall, we emphasize applicability in multiple organisms, 
independent of their genetic tractability.  Our approach is premised 
upon experimentally regulating the multiple fates of mRNA within 
cells.  For example, using basic knowledge of translational 
regulation mechanisms, we demonstrate inducible protein expression in 
model prokaryote and eukaryote systems.  To accomplish this, we have 
discovered RNA aptamer elements that reversibly interact with 
proteins in a small molecule-dependent manner.  Small molecule 
regulated translation is then achieved by appropriately inserting 
these aptamer elements into target mRNA.  Current efforts involve 
optimizing the robustness of these systems in conjunction with 
validating them directly in P. falciparum.  While these tools will be 
broadly applicable, our future efforts will aim initially at using 
them to study basic aspects of P. falciparum biology, such as 
understanding cell cycle regulation during the red blood cell phase 
of parasite development.

Grier Room, MIT Bldg 34-401
Refreshments served after the lecture
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