Overview

The Smaldino Lab studies G-quadruplex DNA and RNA structures. G-quadruplexes are "knot-like" structures that provide essential layers of control upon replication, transcription, and translation in healthy cells. When G-quadruplexes are over-abundant or aberrantly unwound, they can become problematic for a cell. We primarily study the G-quadruplex helicase DHX36/G4R1  which is the cell's primary "Undoer of G-quadruplex Knots".

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We apply our expertise to study G-quadruplex-linked diseases including, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), frontal temporal dementia (FTD), repeat-expansion disorders, and cancer. We leverage a combinatorial approach of biochemical assays, cell culture, and mouse models to study these topics.

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We actively work to develop and implement therapeutic strategies to target DHX36/G4R1 and related nucleic acid binding proteins for the treatment of disease.