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What are we studying? 

RNA thermometers are highly structured noncoding RNAs located in the 5′-untranslated regions (UTRs) of genes that regulate expression by undergoing conformational changes in response to temperature. Typically, gene expression is induced at higher temperatures as the RNA denatures and reveals the ribosome binding site for a downstream gene. We developed Robo-Therm, a pipeline that combines an adaptive and user-friendly in silico motif search with a well-established reporter system to identify and characterize RNA thermometers.​

 

We have successfully implemented Robo-Therm to discover and characterize eight novel RNA thermometers (see research blog for me). All of these annotated RNA thermometers have been found in bacteria genomes, and two of them also occur in phage genomes which infect the bacterial host that also contains the same thermometer.

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​Ongoing research is focused on discovering more RNA thermometers, identifying new thermoregulatory RNA elements, and engineering synthetic RNA thermometers. 

SCREAM Team 

  • The Abdelsayed Lab is dedicated to advancing the understanding of thermoregulatory RNA elements.

 

  • Our primary focus is the discovery and characterization of RNA thermometers, RNA structures that play a crucial role in temperature regulation in biological systems.

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  • The lab is located at California State University, Northridge (CSUN).

 

  • Interested in joining our lab or have a question for Dr. Michael Abdelsayed?

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