Davis Lab

Alternative Splicing

My current research consists of the study of protein-protein and protein-RNA interactions involved in spliceosome-directed alternative splicing. Splice site recognition depends on the crosstalk of many proteins and RNA molecules and is the first step to conduct alternative splicing. Failure to properly recognize 5’ splice sites may affect assembly of spliceosome components – resulting in disease-prone outcomes. Due to this, it is important to fully characterize interactions that dictate splice site recognition. My research focuses on the interactions between U1 70K, U1A, and SL1:SL2 RNA splicing components. However, because in vitro splicing kinetics do not completely provide physiologically relevant information, I will be studying these molecules in cells and in living zebrafish tissues. Quantitative in vivo studies on protein-protein and protein-RNA interactions that drive spliceosome assembly will be imperative to the understanding of AS-related diseases. 

            To study these protein-protein and protein-RNA interactions in vivo, I will use three-color Fast Relaxation Imaging (FReI) coupled to microinjection. With this novel technique, we can study how these splicing factors behave in the native environment.