YOUNG-ERDOS LAB RESEARCH

My primary research involves understanding the molecular-level details of how ribosomes, the machinery responsible for protein synthesis in all cells, are assembled. Since protein synthesis limits cancer cell growth, elucidating the mechanisms of players involved in ribosome assembly could provide insight into possible therapeutic avenues. In my lab, my undergraduate researchers and I specifically focus on characterizing DEAD-box proteins, a highly conserved family of RNA-dependent ATPases that are required for proper ribosome formation.