Biological Sciences 2007
Area of Doctoral Study: Biological Sciences
Undergraduate Institute: The College of William and Mary
Research Advisor: Dr. Philip Farabaugh
Current Position: Health Science Program Manager, Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP)
Description of Research
Translation is the process in which mRNA representing genes are converted into functional protein products. During translation, errors can occur that could either cause misincorporation of an amino acid, premature dissociation of the translational apparatus, or a shift in reading frame. Our lab uses genetic approaches to manipulate the ribosome, mRNA, and tRNA to study these phenomena. Insights we gain from these studies generate further resolution into the molecular mechanisms that underlie normal canonical translation.