Dr. Marina Chekulaeva

The Chekulaeva Group focuses on the molecular mechanisms regulating subcellular RNA localization, translation, and stability in neurons, as well as neurodegeneration, and the roles of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) in these processes. The neuron is a highly polarized cell, consisting of the cell body (soma) and neurite extensions (axons and dendrites). This polarity is crucial for neuronal function and relies on the asymmetric subcellular translation and localization of RNAs and proteins. The lab focuses on the identification of new cis-regulatory elements and RBPs responsible for RNA localization and seeks to understand how these processes malfunction in neurodegeneration, particularly in ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) and CMT (Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease).