The roles of long non-coding RNAs in neuronal function

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Objective: The primary objective of my research program is to understand how gene expression is controlled, and to explore the biological functions of dynamically-regulated genes. My short-term aims are focused on the mechanisms governing the “activity-dependent” gene expression program, which regulates the structural plasticity of synaptic connections between neurons. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a newly appreciated class of gene regulatory factor that can coordinate interactions between proteins and nucleic acids. Many lncRNAs are expressed primarily in the brain, but little is known about their functions. The aim of the proposed research is to explore the roles of lncRNAs in the regulation of neuronal gene expression and activity-dependent structural plasticity.