The Feigon Laboratory
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Structure and Function of Non-coding RNAs and Ribonucleoproteins
RNA has increasingly been found to have a role in everything from regulation of transcription and translation to synthesis of the ends of chromosomes to enzymatic reactions. In order to do these things, RNA assumes a variety of shapes and often forms specific RNA-protein complexes.
Our lab studies the structure and function of RNA and ribonucleoprotein complexes (RNPs). Historically, our primary research tool has been multidimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, which provides a method for determining the three-dimensional structures of macromolecules and to study their dynamics in solution. These days we combine electron microscopy, X-ray crystallography, small angle X-ray scattering, and NMR spectroscopy to obtain detailed structures, dynamics, and architectures of RNA and RNP domains, complexes, and assemblies.
Structural and dynamics information is correlated with function using a variety of biochemical and molecular biological techniques, to provide insight into how these nucleic acids and nucleic acid-protein complexes work in the cell and how mutations in RNA can lead to disease.
Currently, the research in my laboratory is focused on structure, function, dynamics, assembly, and folding of: (1) human telomerase, (2) Tetrahymena telomerase, (3) riboswitches, (4) H/ACA RNPs, and (5) other noncoding RNAs. To learn more about Research.
We are always looking for enthusiastic and talented people!
Prospective graduate students should apply through the Biochemistry Graduate program: Biochemistry, Molecular and Structural Biology (BMSB) or through the MBIDP program: Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Structural Biology (BBSB).
Postdoctoral applicants should send a cover letter and CV, and arrange for 3 reference letters to be sent directly to Juli Feigon either by post or email (email is preferred).
Highly motivated undergraduates interested in research and willing to commit to 12+ hours per week for at least a year should send email and CV to Prof. Feigon.
UCLA Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry website
Mailing address:
University of California Los Angeles
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
607 Charles E. Young Drive East
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1569
Contact:
Boyer Hall 241
Tel: 310-206-6922
Lab: 310-825-9232
Fax: 310-825-0982
Driving:
We are located a few steps away from Parking Structure 2
