Periodic Reporting for period 1 - CRISPR-Locate (Linking sequence to function of long noncoding RNAs with CRISPR.)
Período documentado: 2021-08-01 hasta 2023-07-31
Additionally, we improved our CRISPR technology to a very high level of precision. We were able to examine lncRNA function on the level of exons. We tested over 150 lncRNAs that are known to be involved in cancer and found specific exons that are linked to the growth of cancer cells. To understand these exons better, we compared them to a database of known features of DNA and RNA. This helped us identify the specific functional parts encoded within these exons. Another exciting outcome of our work is that we created a comprehensive map of functional domains in lncRNAs. This map provides a starting point for future research into how cells function and how lncRNAs might be connected to diseases. It could even help researchers predict which parts of lncRNAs are functional using computational tools.
We shared our project results with experts in several ways. We presented our work at three major international conferences, including giving talks at the 28th Annual Meeting of the RNA Society in Singapore and the EMBO Workshop "Non-coding RNA medicine" in Poznan, Poland. We also participated in seminars to share our findings with local scientists in Ireland. Currently, we are preparing a detailed article about our work to publish in a respected scientific journal.
One of the things the Researcher did during the fellowship was creating technique called CRISPR Locate. This is a tool that can help other scientists study specific parts of our genetic material in high throughput at high resolution. It could be useful for understanding more about certain types of genes and how they might relate to diseases like cancer. The Researcher's project found some important domains in long non coding RNA that might be linked to cancer. This discovery could help scientists come up with new treatments for cancer in the future.