University of California-Davis · ChemistryBeal Lab
Peter A. Beal · Davis, California
Research Focus
The Beal lab at UC Davis focuses on understanding how proteins interact with RNA to influence RNA editing and interference processes. They explore the workings of certain enzymes that modify RNA, which can affect gene expression and potential disease outcomes. The lab also aims to develop new strategies and tools that could lead to innovative therapeutic applications, especially in the context of cancer and genetic diseases associated with RNA editing.
RNA editingprotein-RNA interactionsADARtherapeutic RNAgene silencingcancer therapyRNA modificationssmall interfering RNAmiRNA
Research Aims
5AIM 01Investigate the structures of key protein-RNA complexes in RNA editing pathways.
AIM 02Develop selective and low molecular weight inhibitors for ADAR enzymes.
AIM 03Create novel strategies to evolve mutant editing enzymes and substrate RNAs.
AIM 04Systematically develop new chemical modifications to improve RNA-binding protein interactions.
AIM 05Enhance the efficacy and selectivity of therapeutic siRNAs and anti-miRs for gene silencing applications.
Skills the Lab Values
PCRRNA extractionprotein purificationcrystallographybioinformaticscell cultureRNA sequencingchemical modification of RNAcomputational modeling
Output against the department
Publications157bottom 38% of dept.134th of 216
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations6.8kbottom 42% of dept.125th of 216
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.