Our research focuses on noncoding RNAs in neurogenesis.
Neurogenesis is the process of new neuron (and glia) generation from Neural Progenitor Cells (NPCs). NPCs self-renew and generate committed offspring in a regulated fashion. The balance between quiescence, proliferation, differentiation and fate decision guarantees brain formation, lifelong neurogenesis and prevents tumour formation. Understanding the molecular control of NPCs fate has implications for comprehending brain malformations and age-related disorders. Over the last three decades, signaling pathways and transcriptional cascades regulating NSCs fate have been elucidated. However, the field has been mostly dominated by a gene-centric view, hence the understanding of NSCs fate remains partial.
MicroRNAs and other noncoding RNAs control NSCs fate by regulating gene expression at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. Current understanding of noncoding RNA functions in NSCs fate is just at the beginning.
