Alexander A. Serganov

We are a biochemical and structural biology laboratory focused on fundamental cellular activities involving RNA molecules.

RNA plays a multifaceted role in all living organisms. In addition to conveying genetic instructions for protein synthesis, RNA participates in other important biological processes as a component of cellular machineries and a modulator of gene expression. The major impact of RNA molecules on the control of gene expression has been highlighted by recent discoveries of small regulatory RNAs, long non-coding RNAs, and regulatory RNA elements in the non-coding regions of mRNAs. Despite their simple composition, RNA molecules can fold into intricate three-dimensional structures that expand the utility of RNA beyond that of the information carrier. Both RNA sequences and spatial structures are key for interactions with partners and assembly of functional complexes controlling gene expression.

We use a combination of biophysical methods, biochemical techniques, and structural approaches, including X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy, to elucidate molecular mechanisms of fundamental cellular processes associated with biosynthesis of mRNA, metabolism of RNA, and RNA-mediated gene expression control.