John K. Kim, Ph.D.

Research

The Kim Lab studies how microRNAs and other emerging classes of small RNAs regulate fundamental biological processes including neuronal and muscle development, germline maintenance, heterochromatin formation, and oncogenic cell proliferation. The RNA interference (RNAi) and microRNA pathways regulate these diverse activities through sequence-specific gene silencing mechanisms mediated by small RNAs. Using functional genomic, genetic, biochemical, cell biology, and computational strategies, our lab investigates the molecular mechanisms of both the small RNAs and new candidate RNAi/microRNA factors that we have identified by genome-wide screens.