Molecular characterization of the function and regulation of the subcomplexes of the ribosomal small subunit processome in ribosome assembly in the yeast model organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae

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Ribosomes are tiny molecular machines that are present by the hundreds of thousands in all cells. They play an essential role in every aspect of life, as they are the link between the genome (or DNA) and proteins. Ribosomes “read” genetic information and translate it into the corresponding protein. In turn, proteins provide the cell with architectural and structural support, the ability to move (such as muscle contraction), and often themselves act as miniature molecular motors in providing the cell with the ability to use energy, to grow, and to divide. These are all key aspects to the normal day-to-day life of a cell. We have an increasingly sophisticated understanding of how ribosomes read genetic material and assemble the corresponding protein, much like we understand well the internal combustion motor of a car. The research proposed here looks at how the ribosome is assembled and at another miniature molecular machine, called the SSU processome, which assembles part of the ribosome. That is akin to my saying that my interests are in how cars are assembled and how car assembly lines work.