RNA modifications and Gene Expression (Michaela Frye)

About this episode

Michaela Frye discusses her research on RNA modifications and their impact on gene expression and cancer development.

In this episode of the Epigenetics Podcast, we talked with Michaela Frye from he German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in Heidelberg about her work on the role of RNA modifications and RNA binding proteins in gene expression and cancer development. Central to Dr. Frey’s work is the NSUN family of RNA-modifying proteins, which she first encountered during her postdoctoral research. Initially perceived as a DNA methyltransferase, she unwittingly discovered that this family also plays vital roles in RNA methylation. Her exploration revealed that these proteins significantly affect gene stability and translation processes, especially under stress, making them critical players in cancer pathology. As her research progressed, Frey transitioned into her own lab, where she continued exploring RNA modifications in the context of skin and cancer cells. She emphasizes the critical distinction between the roles of different RNA modifications in various cellular contexts, especially highlighting the differences between steady-state stem cells and those undergoing differentiation or stress responses. Frey's lab investigates how these modifications regulate translational processes, which are…

People in this episode

Guest: Michaela Frye

Topics covered

• RNA modifications
• gene expression
• cancer development
• RNA binding proteins
• NSUN family
• cellular adaptation

Keywords

• RNA modifications
• gene expression
• cancer
• NSUN proteins
• cellular dynamics
• stem cells
• methylation

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: German Cancer Research Center, DKFZ

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