Orna Issler, PhD

Until recently, non-coding RNAs were considered transcriptional noise or even ‘junk.’ Advances in transcriptomic profiling revolutionized our appreciation of the abundance and prevalence of ncRNA transcripts in humans. Evidence suggests that the expression of ncRNA is enriched in the brain, yet our understanding of how these genes regulate normal and pathological brain functions is still in its infancy.

We discovered a critical role of ncRNAs in regulating mood linking both microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs to increased susceptibility or resilience to depression. While our knowledge is expanding, it is far from complete. Particularly, there is a great need for identifying novel diagnostic and therapeutic targets and delivery approaches for depression and chronic pain, leading causes of disability worldwide.

We utilize an integrated approach, spanning from mouse to human, to study the role of non-coding RNAs in neuroscience. Toward that end, our group will perform:

• Basic Research to answer the question: How do non-coding RNAs contribute to the regulation of stress and pain?

• Translational Research Developing novel ncRNA-based diagnostic and therapeutic tools for stress and pain disorders.