YMS Series – Gene Expression Regulation Research – Romanian Society of Bioinformatics

YMS Series – Gene Expression Regulation Research

April 30, 2025

17:30 GMT+2

The YMS Series aims to bring together the RSBI community to discuss science and career experiences. We especially encourage young researchers to attend this series, as it exposes them to diverse research directions and provides opportunities to explore potential career paths.

On Wednesday, April 23, at 17:30 GMT+3 we will hear two talks about the #miRNA-dependent gene #regulation models using machine learning and alternative polyadenylation (APA).

Talk 1:

Prof. Mihaela Zavolan, "Small and large models of miRNA-dependent gene regulation", Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.

Keywords: miRNA, post-transcriptional gene regulation, machinelearning

Abstract: The discovery of the let-7 miRNA brought into focus an entire layer of evolutionarily conserved, post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression. High-throughput experiments revealed their broad impact on mRNA stability and translation rate, underlying their essential roles in development, metabolism, infections and cancers. Here I will discuss the computational models developed by my group aimed at deciphering the network of miRNA targets.

Talk 2:

Máté Balajti, "Quantification of alternative polyadenylation (APA) derived isoforms", Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.

Keywords: RNA-Seq, alternative polyadenylation, cancer

Abstract: Alternative polyadenylation (APA) is a widespread post-transcriptional mechanism that generates transcript isoforms with variable 3' ends, influencing mRNA stability, localization, and translation. Dysregulation of APA has been implicated in various diseases, including cancer, where it can it can lead to aberrant expression of oncogenes and tumor suppressors. Accurate quantification of APA-derived isoforms is essential for elucidating their roles in disease pathogenesis and for identifying potential therapeutic targets. In this presentation, I will discuss the approaches and tools currently being developed in our group to systematically quantify these isoforms from RNA-Seq data.

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