José R. Sotelo, Ph.D.

Research

After transcription, mRNAs in neurons have different final destinations. Among them are post�synaptic dendritic or pre-synaptic axonal areas where local translation of these specific messages may be involved in rapid responses and plastic phenomena. Transport of mRNA its accomplished using macromolecular complexes of RNA and proteins called RNPs (ribonucleic acid-protein particles) that moves along cytoskeletal tracks throughout neuronal projections. The main interest of my research is the genomic analysis of different RNPs as a way to understand RNA complexity in different neuronal projections. Comprehension of local protein translation mechanisms will lead to have a different perspective in understanding neurophatological processes compromising the viability of the axon.