Deciphering the role of intron retention in monocyte differentiation and function

2013年，我们有了一个突破性的发现，基因的某些部分，以前被认为是“垃圾DNA”，实际上携带着控制细胞中蛋白质产量的信号。我们现在希望了解这些信号在单核细胞的关键免疫细胞发育中的作用。单核细胞在对抗糖尿病和癌症等疾病的感染和炎症方面很重要。我们希望进一步了解如何操纵这些细胞以获得治疗效果。

In 2013, we made a breakthrough discovery that certain parts of genes, previously considered “Junk DNA”, are actually carrying signals to control the amount of proteins produced in cells. We now wish to understand the roles of these signals in the development of a key immune cell called monocyte. Monocytes are important to fight infection and inflammation in diseases such as diabetes and cancer. We hope to advance our knowledge on how we can manipulate these cells for therapeutic gain.