With both dry and wet lab components, our work encompasses the following aspects:

• ​Computational methodology development
• Bioinformatic large-scale data analyses​

• High-throughput genomic technologies and data acquisition
• Molecular biology experiments ​

Empowered by the above multi-disciplinary approaches, we tackle a variety of important questions in RNA biology, as described below.

RNA SPLICING

Splicing is a critical step enabling diversity in gene expression. >90% of all human genes undergo alternative splicing, potentially generating different protein products. Importantly, splicing is tightly and specifically regulated in different cell types, tissues and developmental stages.

​We are studying splicing regulation using bioinformatics, molecular biology and comparative genomics methods. As part of the ENCODE consortium, we focus on developing new ways to pinpoint functional genomic variants in causing splicing abnormalities in diseases.

RNA EDITING

RNA editing is a post-transcriptional process that alters the RNA sequences by base modifications, insertions and deletions. We are developing bioinformatic and experimental approaches to accurately identify genome-wide editing sites and to better understand regulatory mechanisms and functional implications of RNA editing.  In addition, we dedicate major efforts to investigate the involvement of RNA editing in neurological diseases and cancer.

EXTRACELLULAR RNA

RNA exists outside of the cells in our body fluids. ExRNAs are emerging as important molecules for cell communication and biomarker discovery. We are using high-throughput sequencing, bioinformatic and experimental methods to identify novel exRNA species, investigate the largely unexplored topics of exRNA function, and discover novel biomarkers for various diseases.