Gregory J. Connell, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Pharmacology
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Publications |
Research Interests
Dr. Connell and colleagues are engaged in research into
the mechanism of RNA editing in trypanosomes. Several of
the mitochondrial mRNAs of this ancient eucaryotic lineage
are edited through the insertion and deletion of uridines.
In some mRNAs over half the genetic code is created through
this process. Research has been focused on defining the features
of the RNA that determine the location of the editing and
also on purifying and characterizing the relevant proteins.
Accomplishing these objectives will provide insight into
one of the most intriguing forms of RNA processing and will
also identify novel targets for the design of drugs against
the trypanosomatid parasites. In the tropics and sub-tropics,
the trypanosomatids are some of the most devastating human
parasites.
The laboratory is also interested in the mechanism of mammalian
iron homeostasis. The redox potential and coordination chemistry
of iron in aqueous solution is exploited within a wide cross-section
of biochemistry, including respiration, the synthesis of
deoxyribonucleotides and the transport of oxygen. Some of
the same properties of aqueous iron that make it so valuable
to biochemistry can also result in the generation of free
radicals that are toxic to the cell. As a result, most life
forms have evolved strategies to precisely regulate the intracellular
iron concentration and understanding these mechanisms will
be highly relevant to the development of novel anti-tumor
and anti-parasitic drugs. |
