Dana Hocková Lecture – Cecília Arraiano
Abstract: RNA and RNases: A World still Full of Surprises
My laboratory has been focused in the study of RNA degradation mechanisms and the characterization of enzymes and RNA chaperones that mediate RNA decay. We have focused on exoribonucleases in the maturation, degradation, and quality control of mRNAs and functional non-coding small RNAs. We have worked mainly with microbes, but we have also extended our research to eukaryotes to further understand the role of RNases in global regulation and Disease. Our studies have been applied to areas of Biotechnological interest and Health, and we have been involved in European Projects on Synthetic Biology to reprogram bacteria for biotechnology use.
I will present recent results obtained with hydrolytic and phosphorolytic exoribonucleases in eukaryotic and prokaryotic systems.
RNA based vaccines against SARS-CoV2 RNA virus, have been successful in holding the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, and this brought new interest on RNA in the media. Due to our expertise on RNases we have characterized the mechanism of action of the two SARS-CoV2 ribonucleases, and they have shown to be prominent targets for the development of novel antiviral drugs.
The more we study ribonucleases, the more we come to admire the ingenuity of these fantastic molecular machines. And...many surprises are yet to come.