Dr. Brian Luke Non-coding RNA (TERRA) and Telomeres

The telomere protects chromosome ends from nucleolytic degradation and maintains chromosome length. Loss of telomere function leads to genomic instability and cellular senscence. During aging telomeres become shorter and genomic instability increases. The lab focus is to better understand links between telomere regulation and age. Recently it has been demonstrated that telomeres are transcribed into non-coding TElomeric Repeat containing RNA (TERRA). There is no known function of TERRA, although the levels of TERRA are regulated via telomeric alterations, including length and heterochromatic status. We use genetic, biochemical, and molecular and cell biological assays to comprehend how TERRA transcription and telomere regulation are coordinated in terms of aging and genomic stability. Projects are focused on determining the function of TERRA in terms of telomere length the Telomere Position Effect (TPE), furthermore trying to find novel regulators of TERRA transcription and turnover.

Detailed information on the project can be found at
www.zmbh.uni-heidelberg.de/luke/default.shtml