Spletter lab

We investigate the function and regulation of alternative splicing and RNA processing in muscle development. We use genetic, molecular and biochemical approaches, from classic genetic analysis to RNA-Seq. Our favorite model organism is Drosophila melanogaster, which we complement with work in human and mouse cell culture. We would like to identify a near-complete list of RNA-binding proteins, in particular splicing factors, that are required in muscle. In addition, we try to understand how RNA regulation contributes to the differentiation and functional differences observed between muscle types. Muscle-type specific splicing patterns are disrupted in many diseases, and we would like to understand how disruption of the normal RNA and splicing regulatory networks leads to disease pathologies.