My primary research interest lies in translational regulation in plants, with a focus on understanding how translation is controlled within specific cell types. My ultimate goal is to investigate the mechanisms governing cell-specific translation and their biological significance.
To achieve this, I am working on establishing a translating ribosome affinity purification (TRAP) Ribo-Seq protocol, which will allow the analysis of mRNAs associated with tagged ribosomes expressed specifically in distinct cell types. This approach will provide a global, cell-specific view of translational activity, offering critical insights into how translation is regulated in different plant cells.
I am also particularly interested in the role of the target of rapamycin (TOR) signaling pathway in translational regulation. Our Ribo-Seq data indicate that TOR selectively regulates the translation of a subset of genes containing the 5' terminal oligopyrimidine (5'TOP) motif. The aim of this research is to understand how the TOR-mediated translation of these specific transcripts contributes to the broader functions of TOR in plants.
Through this work, I aim to bridge the gap between translational control mechanisms and their physiological outcomes, ultimately contributing to a deeper understanding of gene regulation and growth control in plants.