Research

The Language of RNA and Proteins

RNA can do a lot-it can bind proteins, sense small molecules, silence genes, and catalyze reactions. Yet, we are only beginning to uncover the full range of RNA’s capabilities and the logic encoded in its structure. Our lab aims to decipher this molecular language by identifying new RNA-based regulators and understanding how they interact with proteins to regulate cellular processes. By revealing these hidden layers of RNA function, we aim to expand the definition of what RNA can do in living systems.

From Single Cells to Communities

A single bacterium can switch a regulatory system on or off, but in nature, bacteria exist as dynamic communities. We ask how millions of cells coordinate these regulators collectively, and how variability within a population determines when and why a system is activated. By studying regulation under conditions that mimic the native environment, we uncover how collective behaviors and ecological pressures shape bacterial decision-making.

Re-Engineering Nature

By decoding how RNAs and proteins communicate, we can begin to reprogram their language. Our lab designs synthetic virus-like particles (VLPs) that carry RNA-based circuits capable of sensing and responding to molecular signals.