Robert Darnell wants to understand how proteins regulate RNA and thereby affect gene expression. Darnell and his team are particularly interested in neuron-specific RNA-binding proteins in the mammalian brain, and in functional genomics and human disease more generally. The team uses a combination of biochemical and genetic approaches – including high-throughput genomics – in their studies, and recently developed powerful single cell-type methods (cTag CLIP) to create genome-wide maps of RNA-binding interaction sites in living tissue. Their findings have provided functional insight into RNA dysregulation in diseases such as intellectual disability, autism, autoimmune disease, viral infection, and Alzheimer’s.
Scientists have invented a new technique to study mRNAs localized to dendrites, illuminating for the first time how the molecules are regulated in order to facilitate a speedy response to incoming signals — a crucial aspect of memory, learning, and synaptic plasticity. Scientists have identified a new type of cell that appears in the bloodstream of rheumatoid arthritis patients shortly before joint inflammation flares. An analysis of the complete genomes of 2,064 people reveals that multiple genetic variations could contribute to autism. The work suggests that scanning whole genomes may one day be useful for clinical diagnostics. The protein behind fragile X syndrome, a leading cause of autism and intellectual disability, controls a suite of genetic regulators. HHMI scientists are among 84 newly elected members. Brief summaries of the research carried out by the 12 patient-oriented researchers selected by HHMI in 2002