Ryan Boudreau, PhD

Contact Information

Office: 2269-B CBRB
Phone: 319-353-5573
Faculty Profile


Brief description of current research:

My primary interests lie in understanding how genes are regulated at the post-transcriptional level. This process remains a key determinant of the spatial and temporal expression of biological effectors in natural and disease states. My overall research focuses on characterizing disease-related post-transcriptional responses and understanding how human genetic variations interface with these processes. I aim to identify pathogenic and protective RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) and determine their regulatory targets using computational and high-throughput biochemical means. RBPs and miRNAs are key mediators of post-transcriptional responses and have been implicated in a variety of human diseases (e.g. diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular and neurological). And importantly, modulation of RBP and miRNA activities provides attractive means to manipulate gene expression for therapeutic benefit.

Quote:

As a research investigator who focuses on gene silencing technologies and processes, one of my favorite quotes is “silence is golden," particularly in the context of "silencing” those diseases which affect so many among us.