Dr Justin Wong, U Sydney : "Intronic nonsense: Why we should stop ignoring them?"
Speaker:
Dr Justin Wong
Head, Gene Regulation in Cancer Lab, Gene and Stem Cell Therapy Program, Centenary Institute of Cancer Medicine & Cell Biology, University of Sydney, NSW
Title: "Intronic nonsense: Why we should stop ignoring them?"
Abstract:
Eukaryotic messenger RNAs (mRNAs) consist of coding regions called exons, separated by non-coding regions called introns. Under normal circumstances, introns are removed by a process called mRNA splicing, which allows joining together of exons to form mature mRNA transcripts, ready for protein translation. Retention of intron is traditionally viewed as a consequence of mis-splicing with little biological relevance. However, we and others have recently shown that intron retention is a widespread and conserved mechanism of gene expression control in normal cells. Aberrant intron retention is also implicated in diverse human disease. In this talk, I will highlight the functions of intron retention in normal biology and disease including those occurring in neuronal cells. I will also discuss my recent work concerning the control of intron retention via MeCP2-mediated splicing factor recruitment consequent to reduced DNA methylation.
About Neuroscience Seminars
Neuroscience seminars at the QBI play a major role in the advancement of neuroscience in the Asia-Pacific region. The primary goal of these seminars is to promote excellence in neuroscience through the exchange of ideas, establishing new collaborations and augmenting partnerships already in place.
Seminars in the QBI Auditorium are held on Wednesdays at 12-1pm, which are sometimes simulcast on Zoom (with approval from the speaker). We also occassionally hold seminars from international speakers via Zoom. The days and times of these seminars will vary depending on the time zone of the speaker. Please see each seminar listed below for details.
