This #TraineeTuesday, we are introducing Gaëlle Talross, PhD, a postdoctoral associate in the Carlson Lab! Gaëlle was recently awarded the K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD).
The award will support Gaëlle’s research investigating how long non-coding (Inc)RNAs contribute to olfactory processing and function. These RNA molecules, while not producing proteins themselves, play crucial roles in regulating gene expression and various cellular activities. The award funds Gaëlle for two years of mentored postdoctoral career development (K99 phase), followed by three years of independent research support (R00 phase).
Above all, the award provides Gaëlle recognition, acknowledging the significance of her research question and the value of her interdisciplinary approach. Her study employs a multifaceted approach, integrating genetic, electrophysiological, behavioral, and molecular assays to delve deeper into the molecular mechanisms behind chemosensory processing and adaptation driven by IncRNAs. Through this innovative strategy, Gaëlle seeks to dissect the role of IncRNAs in modulating the functional properties of neurons on a broad scale, advancing the understanding in this critical area of neuroscience.
Since the age of 10, Gaëlle has harbored a deep passion for biomedical research, a commitment that only grew stronger and more refined through her experiences in college and graduate school. As an undergraduate at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, she worked in the labs of Scott Cooper, PhD, and Sumei Liu, PhD, where she developed a fascination for IncRNAs, particularly in the context of neurological disorders.
It is still puzzling that so many neurodegenerative disorders are associated with dysregulation of IncRNAs!
During her doctoral studies at Johns Hopkins University, Gaëlle conducted research in the labs of Joseph Gall, MD, and Nicholas Ingolia, PhD, at the Carnegie Institute. There, she explored a novel type of IncRNA, known as the stable intronic sequence (sis)RNA, which is believed to regulate gene expression and has been implicated in various biological processes. Encouraged by her mentor to identify the optimal model system for her research, Gaëlle joined the lab of John Carlson, PhD, at Yale as a postdoctoral scholar. In this role, she explores the role of IncRNAs in olfaction, utilizing Drosophila melanogaster, a model organism renowned for its advanced and extensively studied olfactory system.
Gaëlle’s work in the Carlson Lab has established the foundation for a new and exciting avenue in sensory biology for Gaëlle: the study of IncRNAs in olfaction. She has identified intriguing IncRNAs that may have evolved a specific olfactory function. Notably, among these IncRNAs exist those that are species-specific, enriched in pheromone-sensing neurons -- cells that detect chemicals produced by organisms to communicate with other members of their species. This discovery suggests potential roles for these IncRNAs in mating behaviors and species recognition.
When joining the Carlson Lab, Gaëlle anticipated an intellectually stimulating and incredibly supportive environment. Additionally, she was pleasantly surprised by the overwhelming encouragement she received from beyond the lab.
I have received invaluable feedback on my project and career advancement from numerous faculty across multiple departments, for which I am deeply grateful. Some of this support has come through transformative events organized by the Kavli Institute and the Yale Center for RNA Science and Medicine.
Gaëlle’s journey at Yale not only led her to solidify her commitment to advancing our understanding of neuronal IncRNAs, but also to emphasize the importance of mentorship in her career.
[Mentoring] is crucial for contributing to the flourishing of the next generations of scientists in a welcoming and supportive atmosphere.