Research

Biochemistry, biology, and biotechnology of eukaryotic retroelements and their reverse transcriptases

After 25 years of field-leading research in our studies of telomerase, endogenous RNA silencing, non-coding RNAs and RNP biogenesis, the Collins lab switched passions to explore new uncharted realms: mobility and evolution of eukaryotic non-LTR retrotransposons, unique features and mechanisms of their reverse transcriptases and RNPs, and their exploitation to innovate new approaches for non-coding RNA sequencing and disease therapy. Launched by initial funding from the Bakar Fellows Program and an NIH Director's Pioneer Award, we seek to understand principles of eukaryotic non-LTR retrotransposon biochemistry and biology spanning from exquisitely selective protein-nucleic acid binding specificities to cellular compartmentalization and DNA repair.  We are using our insights to engineer new methods for safe, versatile, site-specific transgene addition to the human genome.