We study RNA regulatory elements that control the cellular expression of the information stored in the genetic code. Our work combines molecular and computational approaches to elucidate how differences in mRNA primary sequence lead to large and regulated differences in gene expression during normal development and in disease. We focus on two areas of interest: regulatory sequences in mRNAs that control translation, and RNA chemical modifications that affect many aspects of gene regulation including translation, splicing, and RNA stability.
Research in the Gilbert Lab ranges widely across RNA biology with the unifying theme of elucidating the molecular mechanisms of RNA regulatory elements controlling mRNA biogenesis, translation and decay. Most recently, this has been in the area of RNA base modification.
Landmark achievements of the Gilbert lab include:
Biochemistry; Gene Expression Regulation; Molecular Biology; RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional; Protein Biosynthesis; Genomics; Transcriptome