Youngwoo Lee

Current Research Interests:

Investigating the role of RNA binding proteins (RBPs) complexes in mRNA transport, localization, and post-transcriptional processes during endosperm development in rice seeds.

Research Description:

I am very interested in deciphering how transcriptional and post-transcriptional events determine the fate of RNAs, which are transported to specific sub-cellular compartments in plant cells where they are processed, translated, stored, or turned-over.  Thus I am focusing on exploring the RBPs’ mechanisms underlying mRNA transport, localization, and post-transcriptional events for seed development.  For example, mRNAs in a developing rice endosperm are transported via at least three RNA localization pathways to subdomains of the cortical endoplasmic reticulum, and by processes requiring multiple assemblies of RBPs.  However, very little is still known on the role of RBPs in the processes.  Using proteomics approaches coupled with co-immunoprecipitation, chromatography, and subcellular fractionation, I am investigating assembly, composition, and location of RBPs complexes in order to understand the roles of RBPs multi-protein complexes in the processes.  I expect that my project will fill a major gap in the understanding of how plant genes are controlled at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels.