
Selfish RNAs and acquisitive genomes
Scientific sessions, PRBB CRG Conferences
Andrew Fire
Departments of Pathology and Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine. Stanford, USA
Andrew Fire, from the Stanford Medicine University, USA, studies the mechanisms by which cells and organisms respond to genetic change. His lab studies a variety of natural mechanisms that are utilized by cells adapting to genetic change. These include mechanisms activated during normal development and systems for detecting and responding to foreign or unwanted genetic activity. They primarily make use of the nematode C. elegans in their experimental studies. Much of his team’s current effort is directed toward a molecular understanding of the RNAi machinery and its roles in the cell. He has been invited by the CRG PhD Students committee.