Grant: Operating Grant

Proteins are the fundamental building blocks of all organisms. They act as machines that perform a wide variety of functions in the cell including the breakdown of nutrients, formation of antibodies for protection against viruses, mediating cell growth and division, and importantly, control the activity of our genes. The process of protein synthesis in higher organisms, such as mammals, consists of copying a gene from DNA located inside the nucleus of a cell, moving this copy (called mRNA) out of the nucleus, and translating that message by producing a protein molecule. Our research focuses on the last step of this process, called mRNA translation. A cell can control mRNA translation by adjusting the levels of specific proteins in response to a particular need or stress. Our laboratory has identified multiple factors involved in regulating translation and we work towards understanding how the cell controls this function. We have shown that controlling mRNA translation plays a vital role in cell viability, learning and memory, adipose tissue metabolism, viral infection, and tumour formation. Our research will contribute towards a broader perspective on how cells perform these fundamental processes and ultimately help us to design innovative treatments against diseases such as mental disorders, obesity, AIDS, and cancer.