Main directions:
Molecular mechanisms of development and aging in humans and non-human primates Comparative biology of the human brain General study of regulatory evolution with a focus on humans and closely related primate species
Molecular Lifespan Project
The main goal of this project is to characterize general features of regulatory and structural changes associated with age and to identify the key changes specific to the human development and aging. In order to achieve this goal, we are measuring gene expression including miRNA, mRNA and ncRNA, protein expression as well as metabolites and lipids abundance in humans, chimpanzees, and rhesus macaques throughout the entire lifespan of these species.
Comparative Biology of the Human Brain
In this project, we attempt gaining a broad view of the human brain molecular biology by measuring miRNA, mRNA and ncRNA expression, protein composition and metabolic and lipid composition in the distinct brain regions and in the specific cellular fractions. Further, we compare these results with the changes that took place during human evolution, as well as changes observed in human disorders affecting brain functionality.
Principles of Regulatory Evolution
Here, we are trying to discern general rules of regulatory evolution in primates by putting together miRNA, mRNA, ncRNA, and protein expression differences observed between closely related primate species and the DNA sequence data of conservation, divergence and polymorphism patterns observed in humans and other species.
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