Research
The complete sequence of the human genome provided quite a surprise to many by revealing that more than 98% of the transcriptional output represents non-protein coding RNAs (ncRNAs). In addition to housekeeping ncRNAs (rRNAs, tRNAs, etc.) and small RNAs (microRNAs, piRNAs, etc.), long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs, >200nt) are emerging as a major class of eukaryotic transcripts with both reported and yet undiscovered roles in gene regulation.
Our long-term goal is to discover new regulatory RNA species and to study their biogenesis and their mechanisms of action in mammalian cells. In the next five years, we are particularly interested in the following areas.
- Identify new RNA species in mammalian genomes by taking advantage of genome-wide approaches and computational analyses.
- Explore their biogenesis and new modes of gene regulation by lncRNAs and circular RNAs with molecular/cell biological and biochemical approaches.
- Understand the regulatory roles of particular ncRNAs in nuclear architecture and function by means of genome editing and cell biology.
- Investigate the function of evolutionary non-conserved ncRNAs by using human embryonic stem cells as models and gain insights into their regulatory roles in the early development in primates.
News
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2016 April: We are seeking individuals who are highly motivated and capable of conducting research independently for understanding the role of lncRNAs and circular RNAs! Please find the detail information in "Positions" column.
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2016 April: Yang Zhang and Ling-Ling Chen contributed an article on nascent circular RNA biogenesis in Cell Reports. Congratulations!
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2016 February: Ling-Ling Chen has contributed a review article on circular RNAs in Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol. Congratulations to Ling-Ling Chen!
Contact
Email: linglingchen@@sibcb.ac.cn