I am broadly interested in the role of A-to-I RNA editing in health and disease.
A-to-I RNA editing refers to the deamination of adenosine to inosine in RNA molecules. Inosine base-pairs similarly to guanosine: this means that A-to-I RNA editing in coding RNA sequences is interpreted as an A-to-G mutation on the RNA level; RNA structures are modified, affecting innate immune RNA sensing mechanisms and RNA processing pathways; and edited microRNAs can be redirected to different target genes. A-to-I editing is a natural process taking place in all animals cells, and is essential for proper brain function, immune system function, and more. Deregulation of RNA editing pathways has been linked to cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, autoinflammation, and intellectual disabilities.
Current research in my group focuses on the role of A-to-I RNA editing in the tumor microenvironment.