For our next talk, in the BDI/CHG (gen)omics Seminar series, we will be hearing from Dr Julie Aspden, Associate Professor in RNA Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds and Dr Owen Rackham, University of Southampton. We’re delighted to host Julie and Owen in what promises to be a great talk!
Date: Tuesday 1 April
Time: 9:30 am – 10:30 am
Talk 1 title: Unlocking the Hidden Code: How Ribosome Profiling Reveals the Operating Principles of the Genome
Talk 2 title: Discovery and functional characterisation of non-canonical translation events during neuronal differentiation
Location: Big Data Institute, Seminar Room 0
Abstract:
The human genome operates with far more complexity than previously understood. Advances in ribosome profiling (Ribo-seq) and computational techniques have uncovered new layers of gene regulation, including the translation of small open reading frames (smORFs) that encode microproteins with potential functional significance. In this talk, I will explore how integrating Ribo-seq with computational approaches provides a high-resolution view of translation across different human cell types and tissues, revealing new aspects of genome function, regulatory elements, and translational dynamics. By leveraging these tools, we can refine our understanding of how the genome operates, uncovering hidden regulatory mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets.
Bios:
Owen completed his PhD in complexity sciences at the University of Bristol in 2012, after which he became an MRC career development fellow at Imperial College London. In 2015, he moved to Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore as a senior research fellow and subsequently started his group there in 2016. In 2022 he returned full-time to the UK and he is now an Associate Professor at the University of Southampton, leading the data-driven biology group.
His group’s primary interest is in what defines human cells and how their phenotype emerges from the complex interplay between the genome, transcriptome and environment. His team combines data generation with computational methods to develop predictions about how specific perturbations or conditions can influence a cell’s fate. He has used these techniques to deepen our understanding of cell fate reprogramming and to broaden the scope of cell and gene therapies both academically and commercially.
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Julie is an Associate Professor in RNA Biology in the Faculty of Biological Sciences at the University of Leeds, UK. She read Biochemistry at the University of Oxford before undertaking a PhD in Biochemistry at the University of Cambridge on the initiation of mRNA translation. During her first postdoc at the University of California, Berkeley, her work focused on alternative mRNA splicing in Drosophila, using genomic approaches. Her second postdoc was at the University of Sussex, where she became interested in long non-coding RNAs and their potential translation. She discovered the translations of 100s novel ORFs, many of which in lncRNAs in Drosophila tissues culture cells. In 2015 Julie established her independent research group at Leeds. Her group addresses questions on the regulation of mRNA translation, ribosome heterogeneity, non-coding RNA function and the role of specific RNA-protein complexes. They combine biochemistry, genomics, molecular biology and genetics to study RNAs in Drosophila melanogaster and mammalian tissue culture, including human neuronal cells.
Julie has 19 years of experience and expertise in RNA biology, and an active member of the RNA Society. Julie is academic co-lead of LeedsOmics, the virtual omics institute at the University of Leeds. She has previously led gender equality initiatives in her faculty and is passionate about creating a supportive and inclusive research culture. Julie now leads a large interdisciplinary team “RiboCode” to understand how changes in ribosome composition impact translation and how this occurs across different organisms. Her group’s work has been funded by both MRC and BBSRC.
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All members of the University are welcome to join, please let reception at BDI know you’re here for the seminar and sign-in. We hope you can join us!
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As a reminder, the (gen)omics seminar series runs every other Tuesday morning and is intended to increase interaction between individuals working in genomics across Oxford. We encourage in-person attendance where possible. There is time for discussion over, tea, coffee and pastries after the talks.
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Hybrid Option:
Please note that these meetings are closed meetings and only open to members of the University of Oxford to encourage sharing of new and unpublished data. Please respect our speakers and do not share the link with anyone outside of the university.
Microsoft Teams meeting –
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Passcode: VG28S9MA
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