About us
The Orellana Lab investigates whether changes in the chemical modification (also known as the epitranscriptome) of RNA molecules play a role in the development of human cancers.
While messenger RNAs (mRNAs) provide the instructions for producing a protein, transfer RNAs (tRNAs) “read” the information in that message and supply the necessary amino acid building blocks. To function properly, these transfer RNAs must fold into the correct three-dimensional shape, a process that requires the RNA to be chemically modified. Owing to their high cellular abundance and stability, tRNAs have been commonly considered to be housekeeping molecules.
However, it is becoming increasingly clear that tRNAs are highly regulated, and that even small changes in their abundance or their nucleotide modification levels can have profound effects, leading to aberrant translation, changes in protein expression, and disease states.
The tRNA epitranscriptome and the functional tRNA pool have emerged as important regulatory layers in the translation of the human genome. However, our current understanding of the functional tRNA pool is limited.
Therefore, the focus of the Orellana Lab is to study the causes and effects of tRNA dysregulation in human disease and to use this knowledge to develop tRNA-based therapeutics and diagnosis.
The Orellana Lab Team
Esteban Orellana (PI) 🇪🇨
Esteban is an assistant professor in the Department of Molecular and Systems Biology at Geisel School of Medicine, where he studies the role of RNA modifications, specifically on transfer RNAs(tRNAs), in human cancer and neurological diseases. See Esteban’s CV
Mac Pholo Aguirre Guamani
Mac is interested in investigating the mechanisms that control the quality of mature tRNAs and how the disruption of these pathways is associated with certain diseases. He also dedicates himself to helping Peruvian students through the “Serendipity Mentorship in Science” and “Research Experience for Peruvian Undergraduates (REPU)” programs.
Noor M. Taher
Noor is broadly interested in the interplay between protein structure and function, specifically in the context of enzyme activity and regulation. After immersing himself in protein biochemistry and structural biology in Dean Madden’s laboratory at Dartmouth College, Noor spent a year working at Adimab in Lebanon, NH in the Protein Analytics group. He was born and raised in Baghdad, Iraq, and enjoys playing the trumpet and acting.
Honorary members: Kori and Tito 🇺🇸
Kori (Left ) and Tito (Right) like to nap all day and are our newest members.