Research Field
Chemical Modifications
Chemical modifications create a regulatory layer that connects nucleic acid chemistry to gene expression.
Description
Chemical modifications expand the functional capabilities of DNA and RNA beyond their nucleotide sequence. This research area investigates how these modifications establish a chemical code that regulates genome organization, gene expression, and cellular function. A central focus is understanding how modification patterns are written, recognized, and removed, and how they contribute to the transmission of regulatory information.
The research examines both DNA and RNA modifications and their impact on nucleic acid structure and activity. It explores how DNA modifications influence genome architecture and transcriptional states, and how diverse RNA modifications affect RNA maturation, stability, translation, and cellular responses. Particular attention is given to the interplay between different modification pathways, their metabolic connections, and their coordinated effects on gene regulation. By analyzing and manipulating modification landscapes, the project aims to uncover the principles governing nucleic acid chemical information and its role in cellular regulation and disease.
