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Phillip Zamore studies the biology, mechanisms, and evolution of Argonaute proteins – an ancient family of proteins that plays a central role in RNA silencing processes. Zamore and his team investigate how small interfering RNAs, microRNAs, and PIWI-interacting RNAs direct Argonaute proteins to accomplish tasks such as silencing transposons and regulating mRNA expression. The team is developing technologies to more effectively study RNA silencing pathways, including single-molecule fluorescence techniques, deep sequencing methods, and novel animal models. Ultimately, their aim is to understand how Argonaute proteins have been repurposed during evolution and to use these insights to design therapies for human diseases.