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- From the Wang Lab website:
“To overcome such challenges, our research aims to enable novel spatiotemporal measurements at unprecedented resolution and scale using in situ sequencing to probe and perturb the intricate dynamics of the RNA life cycle. Beyond mapping the RNA life cycle in health and disease, I also seek to translate our knowledge of post-transcriptional gene regulation into new therapeutic strategies.”
- From the A*STAR RNA Symposium PDF:
“Dr. Xiao Wang is a core institute member of the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard and an assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry at MIT. She started her lab in 2019 to develop and apply new chemical, biophysical, and genomic tools to better understand tissue-specific RNA dynamics and their roles in health and disease.”
- From the MIT ILP event page:
”I will introduce a few experimental and computational advances in the mapping of RNA life cycle in our lab that further enable multi-modality deep profiling of cell types and states in situ, bridging single-cell molecular profiles with single-cell spatial information.”
Additionally, from the provided context:
“Wang ended up joining He’s lab, where she studied a common mRNA modification known as m6A, which influences how efficiently mRNA is translated into protein and how fast it gets degraded in the cell. She also began to explore how mRNA modifications affect embryonic development. As a model for these studies,she was using zebrafish,which have obvious embryos that develop from fertilized eggs into free-swimming larvae within two days. That got her interested in developing methods that coudl reveal where different types of RNA were being expressed,by imaging the entire organism.”
“Such an approach, she soon realized, could also be useful for studying the brain. As a postdoc at Stanford university, she started to develop RNA imaging methods, working with Professor Karl Deisseroth. There are existing techniques for identifying mRNA molecules that are expressed in individual cells, but those don’t offer information about exactly where in the cells different types of mRNA are located. She began developing a technique called STARmap that could accomplish this type of ‘spatial transcriptomics.'”
”Using this technique, researchers first use formaldehyde to crosslink all of the mRNA molecules in place. Then, the tissue is…” (The rest of the sentence is cut off in the provided context.)
Unveiling the RNA Life Cycle: A Journey Inside Cells and Tissues
Table of Contents
The RNA life cycle is a complex dance of molecular interactions that dictate cellular function and health. Recent advancements in tool development have allowed researchers to visualize every step of this intricate process within cells and tissues. These tools are designed to address critical biological questions, particularly those centered around how different cell types manage their RNA life cycles and how these variations influence cell differentiation and disease.
One pivotal question is how various cell types control their RNA life cycles differently, and how these controls affect their differentiation. Differences in RNA regulation may play a significant role in diseases such as Alzheimer’s.In a 2023 study, researchers used a version of STARmap to discover how cells called microglia become more inflammatory as amyloid-beta plaques form in the brain. This study highlights the importance of understanding RNA dynamics in neurological disorders.
The formation of neural circuits is closely tied to synapse formation, learning, and memory. These processes are strongly associated with localized RNA translation, which involves multiple steps including RNA transport and recycling. By investigating these biological questions, researchers aim to uncover new insights into neurological disorders such as schizophrenia.
Along with exploring these biological questions, researchers are also working on enhancing the efficiency of mRNA therapeutics and vaccines.This involves altering their chemical modifications or topological structures to improve their effectiveness. These advancements could revolutionize the treatment of various diseases by making mRNA-based therapies more potent and reliable.
Summary of Key Findings and applications
| key Finding/Application | Description |
|——————————————|—————————————————————————–|
| RNA Life Cycle visualization | Tools developed to visualize RNA life cycle within cells and tissues. |
| Cell-Type Specific RNA Control | Differences in RNA control affect cell differentiation and disease progression. |
| Microglia Inflammation in Alzheimer’s | Study using STARmap to understand microglia inflammation in Alzheimer’s. |
| Localized RNA Translation | Importance of localized RNA translation in neural circuit formation. |
| enhancing mRNA Therapeutics | Improving efficiency of mRNA therapeutics and vaccines through chemical modifications. |
These advancements in RNA research promise to unlock new biological insights and pave the way for innovative treatments. By understanding the RNA life cycle in greater detail, scientists can develop more effective strategies to combat neurological disorders and enhance the efficacy of mRNA-based therapies.
For more information on the latest developments in RNA research,visit RNA Research News.
Advancing RNA Research: An Interview with Dr. Xiao Wang
RNA research is rapidly evolving,unlocking importent biological insights and paving the way for innovative treatments. Dr. Xiao Wang, a core institute member of the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard and an assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry at MIT, is at the forefront of this exciting field.
Understanding the Intricate Dynamics of the RNA Life Cycle
To overcome challenges in spatiotemporal measurements, your research focuses on using in situ sequencing to probe and perturb the RNA life cycle.Can you elaborate on this approach and its implications?
Using in situ sequencing allows us to capture the intricate dynamics of the RNA life cycle with unprecedented resolution and scale. This method provides detailed spatial and temporal facts, enabling us to map RNA behavior in health and disease. It allows us to understand how RNA regulation changes in various biological contexts, which can lead to new therapeutic strategies.
Post-Transcriptional Gene Regulation and New Therapies
Your work extends to translating knowledge about post-transcriptional gene regulation into potential new therapies. How do you see this area advancing in the near future?
Post-transcriptional gene regulation is a crucial layer of control in gene expression. By understanding how this regulation works and identifying key molecular players, we can develop strategies to modulate gene expression for therapeutic purposes. For instance, we can design small molecules or RNA-based therapies that target specific regulatory elements, potentially offering novel treatments for neurological disorders and other diseases.
Improving mRNA Therapeutics and Vaccines
Your research also focuses on enhancing the efficiency of mRNA therapeutics and vaccines through chemical modifications. Can you explain how these modifications can improve their efficacy?
Chemical modifications can substantially improve the stability,delivery,and translation efficiency of mRNA molecules. for instance, modifications such as pseudouaynylation and managed nucleosides can help prevent degradation by enzymes, improve cellular uptake, and enhance protein production. These advances can lead to more potent and long-lasting mRNA-based treatments and vaccines, with applications in cancer immunotherapy and vaccination against infectious diseases.
Climate and Futures
What are the next steps in RNA research, and how do you envision the field evolving in the coming years?
The future of RNA research holds immense promise. We anticipate continued advancements in high-resolution spatial profiling and new methods for exhaustive molecular characterization.Combining these with computational tools will enhance our ability to model and predict RNA behavior. This multi-faceted approach will pave the way for more elegant biological insights and innovative therapeutic interventions.
Thank you,Dr. Wang,for sharing your insights on RNA research. Your contributions are crucial in shaping the future of this field.
