Research Interests

• Most of the eukaryotic genome is transcribed, yielding a complex network of transcripts that includes tens of thousands of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) with little or no protein-coding capacity. Functioning in the form of ribonucleoprotein complex, lncRNAs play significant roles in most biological processes such as stem cell pluripotency maintenance, cell differentiation, immunological regulation, carcinogenesis, et al. With a combination of structural biology, biochemistry, cell biology and genetics, we will focus on the structural basis of the lncRNA-protein complex assembly, the specificities of the protein-protein and protein-nucleic acid interactions, the molecular mechanism of enzymatic reaction and dynamic regulation. In addition, we will also study the relationship between dysfunctional complex and diseases, which will provide a solid foundation for our understanding of lncRNA-protein complex in maintaining chromosomal and genomic homeostasis and will open a new horizon on novel drug development.