Studying RNA decay is crucial for several reasons, particularly in understanding how cells regulate gene expression and maintain cellular function. Here are some key aspects that highlight the importance of studying RNA decay:

1. Regulation of Gene Expression: RNA decay is a vital process in the regulation of gene expression. It determines the lifespan of mRNA molecules in the cell, thus controlling how long a gene's message is available for translation into proteins. By degrading RNA molecules that are no longer needed or are damaged, cells can prevent the production of unnecessary or potentially harmful proteins.

2. Quality Control: RNA decay mechanisms serve as quality control systems within the cell. They identify and degrade faulty RNA molecules, such as those containing errors from transcription or those that are improperly processed. This ensures that only properly functioning mRNAs are translated into proteins, maintaining the health and viability of the cell.

3. Response to Environmental Changes: RNA decay allows cells to quickly adapt to environmental changes. By adjusting the stability of specific RNA molecules, cells can rapidly change their protein production profiles in response to stress, nutrient availability, or other external signals. This adaptability is crucial for survival in varying environmental conditions.

4. Developmental Processes: RNA decay plays a significant role in developmental processes. During development, precise control of gene expression is necessary to ensure proper growth, differentiation, and function of tissues and organs. RNA decay contributes to this regulation by modulating the levels of specific mRNAs in a temporally and spatially controlled manner.

5. Disease and Therapeutics: Abnormalities in RNA decay pathways can lead to diseases, including cancers and genetic disorders. For example, alterations in the stability of mRNAs that encode for oncogenes or tumor suppressor proteins can lead to cancer. Understanding RNA decay mechanisms offers potential therapeutic targets for developing drugs that can modulate RNA stability and treat or manage these conditions.

Overall, by investigating the RNA decay, my laboratory would like to provides fundamental insights into the post-transcriptional control of gene expression and opens up opportunities for advancing our understanding of biology and medicine. 

Followings are current reseach projects in my laboratory.