The Friend Research Group

The Friend lab studies the connections between messenger RNA translation and cellular signaling. Using mouse embryonic stem cells, yeast, and computational models, we are investigating how mRNA translation is regulated in response to cellular fate and nutrition. Our research has shown that mRNA translation elongation is tightly coupled with mTORC signaling and mRNA decay, some of the first evidence connecting regulated translation elongation with cellular signaling events. Currently, we are focused on elucidating the mechanisms that connect translation elongation with these varied biological processes.