Grace Chen
Circular RNAs in Health and Disease
Mon, Sep. 16, 2024, 4:30pm
Princeton Neuroscience Institute, A32
Host: Ralph Kleiner
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a unique class of RNA transcripts distinguished by their closed loop structure that lacks 5’ and 3’ RNA ends. Initially overlooked as accidental byproducts of transcription, circRNAs have recently garnered significant attention for their newfound roles in many biological processes underpinning cellular homeostasis and disease pathogenesis. Our group develops and applies technologies to identify and profile circRNAs in different environmental conditions, including viral infections. Here, we will discuss our work on Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1). We find virally-encoded circRNAs and explore their physiological functions. We also determine the host circRNAs that change upon viral infection and characterize their roles. Taken together, our results shed light on a previously unrecognized aspect of HIV-1 and host gene expression.