Hosted by the School of Biochemistry

MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that are crucial regulators of compartmentalized gene expression by inhibiting the translation of mRNA targets. The local regulation of protein translation is particularly important in morphologically complex cells such as neurons, as synaptic signaling is often very far away from the somatic nucleus. Our previous work suggests that anchoring on membrane sub-compartments allows microRNAs to be ‘in the right place, at the right time’ to regulate translation at these sites. Furthermore, our recent data demonstrate the dynamic secretion of microRNAs in extracellular vesicles (EVs), which is important for neuronal connectivity. This work implies a potentially vast network of membrane associated microRNAs, that may in turn have important implications for the formation and function of neuronal circuits.

Anna is currently at the DZNE (Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen) in Bonn. She has been a post-doc with Anja Schneider for the last five years or so, and has recently secured her own independent funding. She is interested in the possibility of applying for a fellowship to come to Bristol in a year or two’s time.