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Elisabetta Ullu

 

Molecular Cell Biology, Genetics & Development; Microbiology

Professor of Medicine and Cell Biology

Education

Ph.D. University of Rome 1973

Research Interests

The majority of eukaryotic cells have the ability to silence genes using as regulators or triggers small non-coding RNAs. Our laboratory focuses on the mechanism and biological significance of RNA interference or RNAi, whereby dsRNA triggers degradation of the corresponding target mRNA. Several years ago we discovered RNAi in the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei, which represents one of the deepest branches of the eukaryotic lineage, and thus may give us clues to the origin and evolution of RNAi. Using a combination of reverse genetics, cell biology, and biochemistry, we are studying the mechanism and regulation of RNAi with the goals of defining the minimal set of components, unraveling the biological significance of the pathway, and how the RNAi pathaway intersects with mRNA translation.

Recent Publications

• Shi H, Tschudi C, Ullu E. (2007). Depletion of newly synthesized Argonaute1 impairs the RNAi response in Trypanosoma brucei. RNA 13, 1132-9.
• Shi, H., Tschudi, C., and Ullu, E. (2006). An unusual Dicer-like1 protein fuels the RNA interference pathway in Trypanosoma brucei. RNA 12:2063-72.

Contact

E-mail
elisabetta.ulla@yale.edu