All cells must transform the information stored in their DNA into action. This relies on the production of RNAs via transcription and protein products via translation. Translation is a tightly regulated process that relies on a complex interplay between RNA metabolism, RNA binding proteins, and ribosome function. This interplay is especially important for systems where translation is uncoupled from transcription, as is the case in the mammalian male germ cell. The long-term goal of my laboratory is to understand the mechanisms male germ cells use to ensure robust and timely protein production across development and in the face of challenging transcriptional dynamics. Our current projects addressing this goal are focused on:
- The role of germ-cell specific RNA binding proteins in translation control
- RNA granules (RNA-rich molecular condensates) as sites of translation regulation
- The formation and function of ribosomes variant on the protein or rRNA level
- Germ cell-specific ribosome biogenesis regulation
We address these foundational questions using methods from computational biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, and traditional reproductive physiology. Our findings inform on the highly conserved mRNA translation machinery while revealing potential clinical fertility interventions.