Biochemical and Structural Insights into RNA Binding Proteins that Regulate Gene Expression
Discover how RNA binding proteins achieve their target selectivity while training in advanced biochemistry and structural biology.
Project description
Gene dysregulation is a hallmark of disease, driving pathogenic phenotypes and poor patient outcomes. RNA binding proteins are often important human gene effectors, controlling RNA synthesis, maturation, stability, translation, and decay pathways. Yet the molecular principles underlying their RNA selectivity and function remain poorly understood. Specifically, the student will acquire advanced skills in 1) recombinant production of RNA binding proteins, 2) quantitative biochemical assays characterizing RNA-protein interactions in vitro, and 3) high resolution structural studies.
Project outcome
An individualized development plan will be prepared jointly by the student and principal investigator to assist in identifying important short- and long-term career goals. Weekly 1-on-1 meetings between the student and the principal investigator will ensure efficient research progress and address research challenges as they arise. The undergraduate student will also be paired with a senior mentor for additional training opportunities in core biomedical research skills. The undergraduate student will participate in weekly group meetings to develop critical thinking skills and present their ongoing research to hone their communication skills. The principal investigator will assist the student in designing a research poster and practicing their presentation for institutional and regional symposiums, including the Western New York Structural Biology Collaborative Symposium and the Buffalo RNA Symposium. The student will also be encouraged to attend a national conference such as the Gordon Research Conference on Post-Transcriptional Gene Regulation to showcase their research and provide important networking opportunities.
Project details
| Length of commitment | About a semester |
| Start time | Summer (May-August 2026) |
| In-person, remote, or hybrid? | In-person |
| Level of collaboration | Individual student project |
| Benefits | Stipend |
| Who is eligible | Juniors Seniors |
Project mentor
Monica Pillon
Assistant Professor
Structural Biology
Phone: (716) 829-2519
Email: mpillon@buffalo.edu
Start the project
- Email the project mentor using the contact information above to express your interest and get approval to work on the project. (Here are helpful tips on how to contact a project mentor.)
- After you receive approval from the mentor to start this project, click the button to start the digital badge. (Learn more about ELN's digital badge options.)
Preparation activities
Once you begin the digital badge series, you will have access to all the necessary activities and instructions. Your mentor has indicated they would like you to also complete the specific preparation activities below. Please reference this when you get to Step 2 of the Preparation Phase.
- Attend general lab safety training.
- Attend blood borne pathogen training.
- Familiarize yourself with mammalian gene expression (e.g. transcription, translation).
Keywords
structural biology, biochemistry, gene expression, RNA, protein, nucleic acids