mRNP Biogenesis & Fungal RNA biology

mRNA is pivotal in cellular information transfer, carrying genetic instructions from DNA to the ribosome for protein synthesis. But mRNAs do not travel alone – they are bound by a multitude of RNA-binding proteins to assemble messenger ribonucleoprotein particles (mRNPs). Our focus is on understanding the dynamic interplay of different RNA processing machineries and RNA-binding proteins and revealing the key molecular transitions that control mRNP biogenesis. These processes are fundamental to the regulation of gene expression, encompassing the synthesis, processing, transport, and degradation of mRNA. To investigate these mechanisms in detail, we reconstitute individual mRNP processing steps using purified proteins and RNAs. We utilize Saccharomyces cerevisiae to extend mechanistic studies to cellular-scale RNA production, unveiling conserved eukaryotic processing mechanisms. Our second objective is to pinpoint fungal-specific gene expression pathways as potential targets for novel antifungal inhibitors. To achieve this, we broaden our investigations to include Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus, two major fungal pathogens responsible for human diseases.