SEMINAR: Long non-coding RNA regulation of cystic fibrosis transmembrance conductance regulator expression

Kevin V. Morris received his BS degree from Humboldt State University in 1996 and his PhD in 2001 from the University of California Davis. During his post-doctoral training at the University of California San Diego (2001-2004) he determined that non-coding RNAs were capable of modulating transcriptional silencing in human cells. The Morris lab has since determined the mechanistic underpinnings of non-coding RNA mediated regulation of gene transcription in human cells, with evidence suggesting a role for longer forms of non-coding RNAs as endogenous effectors involved in epigenetically remodeling target loci in human cells. The Morris lab is specifically interested in utilizing the recently described endogenous non-coding RNA pathway in human cells to epigenetically modulate gene expression in those particular genes involved in HIV, cystic fibrosis, and cancer. Notably, evidence suggests that this endogenous pathway can be utilized to either epigenetically silence or activate a genes expression. The Morris lab is also active in developing cell targeted non-coding RNA delivery vehicles, such as lentiviral derived conditionally replicating vector systems, cell-targeted aptamers and nanoparticles