PhD
Professor, Biology
UNC-Chapel Hill
Cancer Genetics
Area of Interest
The Laederach Lab is interested in better understanding the relationship between RNA structure and folding and human disease. We use a combination of computational and experimental approaches to study the process of RNA folding and in the cells. In particular, we develop novel approaches to analyze and interpret chemical and enzymatic mapping data on a genomic scale. We aim to fundamentally understand the role of RNA structure in controlling post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms, and to interpret structure as a secondary layer of information. We are particularly interested in how human genetic variation affects RNA regulatory structure. We investigate the relationship between disease-associated Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms occurring in Human UTRs and their effect on RNA structure to determine if they form a RiboSNitch.
Awards and Honors
- NIH K99/R00 Post-Doctoral Pathway to Independence Award, 2008-2012
- Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation Fellow, 2004-2007
- Zaffarano Prize for most published graduate student, 2003
