The Ubiquitin Puzzle

This summer I am working in the Silva Lab! As most of you may know (from Dr.Silva’s faculty talk), there are so many fascinating features of our lab! After completing nearly 3 weeks of hands-on training and exploration … I have some-what confidence in providing you all with a preview of what we are exploring.

Currently, we are exploring the captivating world of oxidative stress as well as its impact on cellular health. Our team believes that oxidative stress is not only a consequence of environmental factors, but also an important factor in the development and progression of several diseases. As a brilliant team of scientists, we are investigating the role of Ubiquitin Proteasome System (UPS) in cellular processes— from protein degradation to the regulation of gene expression and protein synthesis.

By utilizing a wide range of innovative techniques, we hope to analyze the unique role of K63 ubiquitin chains in modifying ribosomes and controlling translation under oxidative stress. What exactly is K63, you may ask? Well, it refers to a specific type of ubiquitin chain modification in which multiple molecules of ubiquitin are linked together through lysine 63 residues. K63 ubiquitin chains have emerged as key players in regulating translation and protein dynamics.

Our ultimate goal is to better understand the ubiquitination process, analyze the underlying mechanisms, and brainstorm ways to develop targeted therapies that enhance cellular resistance to stress-related diseases.

I look forward to providing you all with a more in-depth explanation of our team’s objectives during this upcoming week’s journal club!!