University of Rochester · BiochemistryRibosome Dynamics and Translation Unit
Dmitri Ermolenko · Rochester, New York
Research Focus
Dmitri Ermolenko's lab at the University of Rochester explores how messenger RNA (mRNA) is translated into proteins by the ribosome, a complex molecular machine essential for life. They investigate the structural dynamics of the ribosome and how the shape of mRNA affects its translation efficiency, which is crucial for understanding diseases like cancer and viral infections. Utilizing advanced microscopy and biochemical techniques, the lab aims to uncover the intricacies of protein synthesis and contribute to therapies for viral infections and cancer.
ribosometranslationmRNAprotein synthesiscancerCOVID-19HIVbiochemistrysingle-molecule microscopytranslational regulation
Research Aims
4AIM 01Investigate how the small ribosomal subunit locates the start site for translation initiation in eukaryotes.
AIM 02Analyze how the structure of mRNA regulates its translation efficiency.
AIM 03Study the impact of mRNA stem-loop structures on ribosome translation pauses.
AIM 04Examine the structural dynamics between ribosomal subunits during protein synthesis.
Skills the Lab Values
single-molecule microscopybiochemical assaysmRNA manipulationprotein purificationgel electrophoresisdata analysis in biochemistrystructural biology techniquesRNA structure analysiscell culture techniquescomputational modeling of molecular interactions
Output against the department
Publications84bottom 18% of dept.330th of 402
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations3.7kbottom 19% of dept.324th of 402
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.