RNA is typically understood as an intermediary molecule between DNA and protein. But, many noncoding RNAs, as well as the noncoding regions of messenger RNA, are increasingly appreciated as important regulators of gene expression and cellular functions. The forefront of current RNA research centers on understanding its regulatory roles beyond coding potential.

The Hwang laboratory studies regulatory RNAs and aims to understand the RNA-based mechanisms in epigenetic gene regulation and post-transcriptional gene regulation. We use genomic techniques and computational methods to map regulatory RNAs in the human genome and develop high-throughput assays to understand RNA sequences or structures responsible for RNA-protein interactions. Current research projects include investigating RNA’s role in chromatin organization, characterizing small RNA expression in human brain development, and evaluating brain disorder risk variations on RNA-protein interaction dysregulation.