TOMOKO TAKAHASHI
Group

About us

Mammalian antiviral defense system directed by non-coding RNAs

Humans are multicellular organisms. An individual being is a collection of cells with diverse functions. The function of each cell is determined by the genes expressed in the cell. Gene expression is precisely regulated at each stage, from DNA to RNA and RNA to protein. To understand the entire picture and predict or control the immune responses of virus-infected cells, we mainly focus on the regulation of gene expression at the RNA level; in other words, we focus on RNA synthesis (transcription) and degradation. We analyze how small non-coding RNAs, such as microRNAs, regulate gene expression via mRNA degradation and translational repression, using cell biology and bioinformatics. Approximately 2,000 microRNAs are encoded in the human genome, and they exhibit distinct expression profiles depending on the cell type and condition. Small non-coding RNAs can be chemically synthesized and introduced into cells to regulate gene expression and influence cellular immune responses, such as the interferon response and apoptosis. We aim to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the antiviral functions of non-coding RNAs and their regulatory networks in human cells for controlling the fate of virus-infected cells and immune responses in humans. Specifically, our ongoing research topics are as follows:

・The antiviral function of non-coding RNAs and regulatory factors for the regulation of cellular immune responses
e.g. Takahashi et al. 2018, Takahashi et al. 2020, Shibata and Moriizumi et al 2024

・The antiviral function of non-coding RNAs and regulatory factors for the regulation of viral replication
e.g. Kaneko et al 2023, Shibamoto and Kitsu et al 2024

・The crosstalk mechanism between endogenous and exogenous nucleic acids
e.g. Takahashi et al. 2020

・The function of non-coding RNAs in innate and adaptive immunity
e.g. Takahashi et al. 2021

We welcome inquiries about collaboration and applications to join our team.
For more information, please contact Tomoko Takahashi.