Researcher Resources Member Profiles Allan Jacobson, Ph.D.
Allan Jacobson, Ph.D.
Professor, University of Massachusetts Medical School
Faculty Appointment(s) In: Molecular Genetics and Microbiology
Other Affiliation(s): Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Interdisciplinary Graduate Program
S5, Rm 11
364 Plantation Street
Worcester, Massachusetts 01605
Phone: 508-856-2442
E-mail:
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Keywords: Genetic Systems, Gene Expression
Research Interests
Cytoplasmic Aspects of the Post-transcriptional Regulation of Gene Expression
Research in my laboratory is focused on the regulation of mRNA stability in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae . Our efforts are currently focused on the mechanisms that dictate rapid decay of two classes of unstable mRNAs: those that are inherently unstable and those that are normally stable, but are destabilized by the presence of a premature nonsense codon. We are analyzing the function of coding sequence elements required for both types of rapid decay as well as isolating and characterizing mutants incapable of degrading either or both classes of mRNA. The latter approach has led to the identification of several trans -acting factors essential for mRNA degradation. Specific interactions of these factors are being analyzed by genetic approaches.