ProfessorHilda Pickett

Project Opportunities

Title: Investigating the role of a novel RNA binding protein in telomerase activity

Summary of opportunity:

We have identified a role for a novel RNA binding protein in telomerase biogenesis and recruitment to telomeres. We aim to investigate how this protein functions in this context using fluorescence microscopy and live cell imaging, as well as telomere molecular biology and proteomics approaches.

Opportunity synopsis:

Telomeres are nucleoprotein structures at the ends of linear chromosomes that function to maintain chromosome integrity. Telomere maintenance is vital for the increased proliferative capacity of normal human germline, embryogenic and stem cells, and for the continued growth of tumour cells. Approximately 85% of cancer cells maintain their telomeres by activating the enzyme telomerase, which uses its integral RNA template subunit to reverse transcribe telomeric DNA onto chromosome termini. Consequently, telomerase represents an important therapeutic target for all types of cancers. However, the mechanisms underlying telomerase activation, biogenesis and recruitment to chromosome ends are not fully understood. Using a proteomics approach, we have identified a novel protein that binds to the RNA component of telomerase, which we hypothesise is required for correct telomerase assembly. We aim to characterise how this protein impacts on telomerase activity and telomere length, and to determine whether this protein can be targeted as a means to prevent telomere elongation and cancer cell proliferation.

----------Current Research Projects----------

Investigating the role of a novel RNA binding protein in telomerase activity

Understanding protein dephosphorylation in the DNA damage response

Using telomere length analysis to understand human disease