Synopsis

Our lab works on understanding how ribosomes are put together from their component parts and how this process is regulated by the cell. In this project we aim to design a tool for monitoring protein synthesis (translation) in vitro. We aim to design a simple device that will allow for the tracking of translation dynamics, which can be used for the discovery of novel translation-inhibiting or activation molecules and ribosome profiling for biophysical or structural studies. The device could also be used for teaching purposes and will serve as a prototype for a diagnostic device for the preliminary/quick detection of ribosomopathies, i.e. inherited disorders characterized by the disruption in the ribosome assembly pathway and low protein synthesis capacity - an emerging class of human developmental and cancer predisposition disorders.