University of California-Berkeley · BiochemistryTransposon Dynamics Lab
Donald C Rio · Berkeley, California
Research Focus
Dr. Donald C. Rio's lab at UC Berkeley focuses on understanding DNA transposons and their roles in gene expression, especially through a process called alternative pre-mRNA splicing. Their research explores how these mobile genetic elements impact human health and development, including their contributions to diseases like ALS. By studying these processes in model organisms like Drosophila and through advanced techniques like cryo-electron microscopy, the lab aims to uncover critical insights into gene regulation that could lead to biomedical advancements.
DNA transposonsalternative splicinggene regulationDrosophilaRNA binding proteinshuman healthembryonic stem cellssplicing silencerstransposaseRNA sequencing
Research Aims
5AIM 01Investigate the role of the human THAP9 gene in embryonic stem cells.
AIM 02Characterize the reaction pathway used by Drosophila P element transposase.
AIM 03Identify new Drosophila cellular splicing silencer elements controlled by RNA binding proteins.
AIM 04Analyze splicing defects in mutant forms of hnRNPA1 linked to ALS.
AIM 05Explore how the PSI protein influences pre-mRNA splicing and U1 snRNP binding.
Skills the Lab Values
Molecular cloningRNA extractionPCRcryoelectron microscopycell cultureDrosophila geneticsRNA sequencingWestern blottingbioinformaticsimmunohistochemistry
Output against the department
Publications210top 38% of dept.152nd of 402
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations12ktop 40% of dept.161st of 402
this lab
most citedleast cited
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