Dr. Ansari wins funding from National Science Foundation

Dr. Athar Ansari recently won funding from National Science Foundation to study the novel role of a widely conserved termination factor in mRNA splicing. It is well known that the transcription, processing and transport of mRNA are coordinated, but the factors that link these steps are unknown. Dr. Ansari's laboratory found that the yeast termination factor Rat1 participates in all three steps of gene expression. Rat1 is also required for transport of mRNA out of the nucleus. Preliminary findings from Dr. Ansari's laboratory suggest that the splicing function of Rat1 could be responsible. This new award will allow the Ansari laboratory to explore the novel role of Rat1 in yeast and other eukaryotes.