Laboratory of PARP biology in RNA metabolism
Our research program focuses on how gene regulation impacts diseases states, including cancer, neurodegeneration and virus infection. Recent research focus includes a druggable protein modification called poly(ADP-ribose). Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors are currently approved by the FDA to treat multiple cancers. Though therapeutically important, this modification is understudied partly due to a woeful lack of tools.

We invent tools to investigate this protein modification, and have discovered its roles in various RNA processes, RNA virus infection, and the formation of RNA granules and other biomolecular condensates. To dissect the underlying mechanisms of poly(ADP-ribose), we also use a range of multi-disciplinary techniques from chemical probe synthesis, single-molecule biophysical measurements and quantitative imaging to informatics, genomics and proteomics approaches.

Our team is highly collaborative, drawing expertise from within the lab, the university and around the world. We aim to translate our scientific findings to medicine.