Genetic and genomic analysis of small RNA pathways in nematodes
Contributors: Ruvkun, Gary; Moazed, Danesh; Blower, Michael; Vasudevan, Shobha; Walhout, Marian
Published: 2013
Language: eng
Description: Small noncoding RNAs, including microRNAs (miRNAs), piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), and endogenous small-interfering RNAs (endo-siRNAs), regulate developmental and defense pathways in animals. While many small RNA silencing protein cofactors have been identified, much more is to be learned from a dynamic and quantitative perspective to reveal the underlying mechanisms and designing principles of each pathway. In this dissertation, I present studies that examine the temporal dynamics of small RNA pathways - one from an evolutionary time scale among the nematode species, and one from finely staged Caenorabditis elegans during the first larval stage. I also describe works identifying new cofactors functions in the miRNA pathway, potentially through regulating the spatial dynamics of the miRNA silencing complex.
Notes: Keywords: genetic, genomic, nematodes, small RNA.

Thesis Ph.D. Harvard University 2013