Our research interests are centered on understanding the mechanism of gene expression by the enzyme RNA polymerase. We apply X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy techniques to reveal three-dimensional structures of bacterial, archaeal and bacteriophage RNA polymerases for elucidating the mechanism of RNA transcription and its regulation.

Latest news:

August 14, 2018: A review paper for introducing the structure and function of E. coli RNA polymerase is published in EcoSal Plus.

July 10, 2018: A paper reporting the crystal structures of the N4 phage RNA polymerase II is published in J. Biol. Chem.

March 28, 2018: A paper reporting the Cryo-EM structure of E. coli RNA polymerase open complex is published in J. Biol. Chem.

February 22, 2018: A paper reporting the crystal structure of E. coli RNA polymerase and DksA/ppGpp complex is published in Molecular Cell. Congratulations Vadim! More…

November 09, 2017: Yeonoh Shin will give a seminar (12:05 pm, 107 Wartik Laboratory) “Structural and Biochemical Studies of Bacterial RNA Polymerase Engaged in Reiterative Transcription during Transcript Initiation at pyrG and pyrBI Promoters”

October 26, 2017: Catherine Sutherland will give a seminar (12:05 pm, 107 Wartik Laboratory) “Rifampicin Resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis: Investigating Fitness Cost and Subsequent Compensation”

October 16, 2017: Our study, the crystal structure of reiterative transcription complex, is featured on CHESS website.

June 26, 2017: A paper reporting the crystal structure of reiterative transcription complex is published in PNAS. Congratulations Yeonoh and Vadim! More…

June 25-30, 2017: Vadim, Zuhaib, Anoop, Catherine, Yeonoh and Katsu attended and presented their works at the FASEB summer research conference “Mechanism and Regulation of Prokaryotic Transcription” at Saxtons River, Vermont. More…