Kübra Altinel

Name: Kübra Altinel

Nationality: Turkish

Academic Background: Molecular Biology and Genetics & Bioinformatics for Health Sciences

Project Title: Alterations to the translational machinery in cancer

Project Background: The ribosome is a multi-functional complex of ribosomal proteins (RPs) and ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs) responsible for protein synthesis in all living organisms. Until recently, the functions of the ribosome were thought to be identical at all times in all cell types: pick a messenger RNA to translate and produce the required protein. In the meantime, correct ribosome assembly is essential for a cell to obtain the required protein products at appropriate levels. Therefore, any alterations to ribosome assembly – such as misfolded / truncated ribosomal proteins due to mutations in their coding regions, or ribosomal RNA modifications – can interfere with the correct structure of the ribosome and alter its established mode of functionality, which may contribute to tumorigenic processes.

Project Aim: In this project, we hypothesize that different ribosome subtypes are functionally distinct. Therefore, we aim to characterize these subtypes using direct single-molecule rRNA sequencing and conduct functional analyses of selected subtypes to investigate their specialized functionalities, which might be hijacked or favored in cancer.

Expected Outcome: Perspectives and outcomes gained in this project will help us understand how translation is being regulated at the ribosome level. With this information, we will be able to identify ribosome subtypes based on their patterns of chemical modifications, and investigate their effects on cellular functions. This will provide unique and groundbreaking insight into how translation is regulated and coordinated in human cells. As the modification system is deeply conserved, we expect this new knowledge to be directly applicable across several kingdoms of life.

Contact:  kubra.altinel@bric.ku.dk