Duke University · BiologymRNA Localization and Regulation Unit
Christopher V. Nicchitta · Durham, North Carolina
Research Focus
Dr. Christopher V. Nicchitta's research lab at Duke University focuses on understanding how messenger RNAs (mRNAs) are localized and regulated for translation on the endoplasmic reticulum. The lab investigates the role of RNA-binding proteins and the signal recognition particle pathway in mRNA transport processes. Their work aims to uncover how these mechanisms contribute to protein synthesis in different cellular contexts, with implications for developmental biology and diseases.
RNA localizationtranslational regulationendoplasmic reticulumRNA-binding proteinsmRNA transportprotein biosynthesisgene expressioncellular proteostasis
Research Aims
5AIM 01Investigate the mechanisms regulating mRNA localization to the endoplasmic reticulum.
AIM 02Examine the role of RNA-binding proteins in translational regulation.
AIM 03Explore the function of the signal recognition particle pathway in mRNA transport.
AIM 04Analyze the dynamics of ribosome localization on the endoplasmic reticulum.
AIM 05Study the implications of mRNA localization in cellular processes and disease.
Skills the Lab Values
cell cultureRNA sequencinggene editingRibo-seqbiochemical analysescrosslinking and immunoprecipitation sequencingimmunoprecipitationtranscriptome analysisdata analysis using Python
Output against the department
Publications194top 33% of dept.341st of 1,033
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations8.7ktop 43% of dept.448th of 1,033
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.