Research Expertise and Interest
retrotransposon, reverse transcriptase, genome engineering, RNA sequencing
Research Description
Kathleen Collins is a professor in the Department of Molecular & Cell Biology. After 25 years of field-leading research in our studies of telomerase, endogenous RNA silencing, non-coding RNAs, and RNP biogenesis, the Collins lab transitioned to explore new uncharted realms: eukaryotic retroelements, non-LTR retrotransposon reverse transcriptases, and the use of engineered reverse transcriptases for RNA sequencing and gene therapy technologies. Funded by an NIH Director's Pioneer Award, we seek to understand the unique principles of eukaryotic non-LTR retrotransposon biochemistry and biology. We are using our insights to engineer new methods for safe, versatile, site-specific transgene addition to the human genome.
