Beilharz Laboratory
RNA Systems Biology
Welcome to the Beilharz Lab
My lab studies eukaryotic RNA metabolism: the birth, life and death of RNA molecules. A growing list of RNA-metabolic enzymes and binding proteins are implicated in intellectual disability, neuronal disorders and other diseases. Through the combined use of next generation technologies and evolutionary conservation in model organisms, we can significantly accelerate discovery of basic gene function and the network-effect of loss-of-function mutations, with direct relevance to human health.
We're part of the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, and a member of the Development & Stem Cells, Cancer and Infection Programs, and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
Professor Traude Beilharz
My global research connections, partners and funding can be viewed on my Monash Research Profile.
If you are a student interested in doing research in our lab, visit Supervisor Connect.
Click the links below to connect with me on Twitter, ORCID, Google Scholar and LinkedIn.
Research
The advent of personal genomic medicine means that detailed knowledge of gene function has never been more important. In the future, our health will likely be monitored by regular “omics” measurements with reference to our personal genome. My lab studies the regulation of RNA expression: its synthesis, processing, nuclear export, cytoplasmic translation and decay using custom transcriptomics.
The Roles and Regulation of Cytoplasmic Polyadenylation: The co-transcriptional polyadenylation of mRNA is essential for life. The post-transcriptional role of polyadenylation is less well understood. It contributes to decay of non-coding RNA and controls germline translation. We investigate cytoplasmic polyadenylation in fertility and aging.
My laboratory uses custom RNA-seq, traditional wet-lab methodologies and computational approaches. Each of the project areas can be customised to a mix that best suits interested applicants. All students will be expected to undertake basic bioinformatic training.
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The Mechanism and Function of Alternative Polyadenylation
The majority of mRNA are made as 3’-end length isoforms. The synthesis of mRNA with more/less non-coding information allows cells to tune spatiotemporal control of protein translation. We study how alternative polyadenylation impacts cell-fate designs in health and disease.
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New Technological Development
We love tinkering with molecular biology techniques to create new RNA-seq tools and associated bioinformatic methods. Our current challenge is to build single cell tools for the detection of 3’-end dynamics in single cells.
Lab members
We are motivated by curiosity, fun and a growth mindset.
Back row L-R: Dr Paul Harrison, Senior Bioinformatician (Monash Bioinformatics Platform), Thomas Hansen, Honours Student, Prof Traude Beilharz, Lab Head, Calvin Kraupner-Taylor, PhD Student, Michael See, Technical Assistant (Monash Bioinformatics Platform).
Front row L-R: Somayeh (Parisa) Ahmadloo, PhD Student, Rachael Turner, PhD Student, Clair Pattison, Undergrad Student, Nitika Kandhari, PhD Student, Dr Angavai Swaminathan, Research Officer, Akriti Varshney, PhD Student.
Join Our Lab
We're always interested in collaborating with bright and motivated researchers, clinicians and industry. Whether you want to research, study or partner with us to accelerate our discoveries, find out about the work we do.