We study viruses as a rich reservoir of RNA regulatory mechanisms. Because viruses must hijack the host's cellular machinery and redirect it for their own benefit, they have evolved diverse and often elegant strategies to control RNA. By studying these strategies, we aim to uncover previously unrecognized RNA regulatory mechanisms, combining computational analysis with experimental approaches. (Link)
We are interested in the full range of RNA therapeutic platforms, including mRNA and self-amplifying RNA (saRNA). We aim to harness viral elements that enhance gene expression to improve current RNA therapeutics. (Link) Our ultimate goal is to propose novel RNA platforms by studying viral regulatory mechanisms and applying them to therapeutic design.