RNA is a type of biomolecules that constitute all known forms of life. While DNA serves as storage of genetic information, RNA carries and controls genetic information. RNA not only acts as a passive decoder of the information embedded in DNA and relays the information to produce proteins, but also it plays multifaceted roles ranging from producing proteins to acting as an enzyme to regulate cellular activities. Our understanding of RNA is in its infant stages when compared to progresses made in the field of DNA or protein research. But growing attention has been paid to RNA as the diversity of RNA and their cellular functions are realized. In addition, findings of frequent defects in RNA in over 20% of genetic diseases further consolidated RNA biology as an attractive field of research.
The Center for RNA Research is aiming to discover cellular functions of regulatory RNAs. Although the majority of RNAs inside a cell do not code for proteins and play regulatory roles, we have limited understanding of only a handful of them. Even for microRNAs, a relatively well studied ncRNAs, their action mechanism, functions, and evolution remain largely unknown. Our research center is currently conducting research on microRNAs and other regulatory RNAs using cancer, stem cells, and immune cells as model systems. In addition, our center is running a long-term project to systematically identify novel regulatory RNAs and the proteins that bind to them. These studies will advance our understanding of cellular regulatory mechanisms and provide a conceptual basis for the development of new therapies and diagnostic techniques.
Team Leader : Narry Kim
Team Leader : Kwangseog Ahn
Team Leader : Jong-Seo Kim
Team Leader : Jin-Hong Kim
Team Leader : Hyeshik Chang
Team Leader : Sungchul Kim (YSF)