Working together to turn vision into reality.
A. Current research in life science: <> Post-transcriptional gene expression regulation,
<> Transcription factors, transcriptome analysis,
<> Translational control, cis-, trans-acting factors,
<> Cancer research, cellular stress response,
<> Cellular differentiation and dedifferentiation.
The human genome sequence contains information about structure and function of the whole organism. However, specific features of individual cells and tissues are determined by gene expression regulation mechanisms, in which transcriptional and translational control may play a substantial role. Despite decades of research, we still do not know how these control mechanisms are changed in cancer cells.
My special research interests are focused on an understanding the role of mRNA 5'-untranslated regions (5'UTRs) in protein biosynthesis as well as the meaning of long naturally occuring antisense transcripts (NATs) in carcinogenesis. These studies have required the development of some new methods for enhancement of expression of selected suppressors as well as alternative strategies for controling the target genes' expression in cancer cells. Working on CDKN2A gene (p16), I have demonstrated for the first time that the newly discovered phenomenon of small RNA-induced gene activation (RNAa) may also be implicated in enhancing of protein translation by targeting the mRNA 5’-untranslated regions (5’UTRs). These results were confirmed in my PhD studies at The Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education on another suppressor gene - the Human Thyroid Hormone Receptor Beta (THRB suppressor). During the PhD studies on the role of mRNA UTR regions in translational control of thyroid hormone receptor beta 1 (TRß1) in human clear cell Renal Cell Carcinoma (ccRCC), I have identified some new, aberrant (in cancer) mRNA variants: 4 not reported before 5’UTR variants of the TRß1 mRNA (F1, F2, A2, A3) expressed in normal kidney and ccRCC, a new variant encoding truncated protein (IVSB) and a new 3’UTR variant that lacks a discrete region containing putative binding sites for miRNAs (splice variant H, see figure). Two variants, F1 and F2, contained a previously unknown exon (1d1) located between exons 1d and 1e (Master at al 2010). For more, see details on my Research- and Publication-pages.
To turn scientific vision and research strategy into reality - I have elaborated some new technologies at the Laboratory of Molecular Medical Biology of BioTe21 (see BioTechnology-pages). On the basis of PCR and DNA sequencing techniques I have carried out some complete reagents and kits for genetic identyfication of human, animal, bacterial, plant and fungi DNA allowing for their fast, cheap and reliable identification, even when using highly degraded biological materials. Some new reference sequences have been published in relation to these technologies (KC342222.1, KC342221.1, KC332217.1, KC292629.1). I have also carried out the SNPtester® version 2.0, that is a macro working with Microsoft Excel. The macro is intended for analysis of sequence variations. It allows for quick and reliable identification of small nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP), termed according to the IUPAC convention.
Working at the Laboratory of Genetics of BioTe21, I have also performed some new diagnostics allowing fast and routine screening for: Increased risk of developing UV-dependent melanoma malignum (MC1R, CDKN2A), Hereditary Prostate, Breast and Ovarian Cancer (BRCA1, BRCA2, CHEK2, NBS1), Factor V Leiden (SNP: R506Q; F5) prothrombin (SNP: G20210A; F2), and many others (based on SNP/mutation detection). These diagnostics have also been awarded many times.
Please, see details on BioTechnologies-pages.
For more information see the following pages:
My BioTechnologies
My Research
Resume
Credibility
Contact
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