Johns Hopkins University · PhysiologyWoodson Lab
Sarah A. Woodson · Baltimore, Maryland
Research Focus
Dr. Sarah A. Woodson's lab at Johns Hopkins focuses on understanding how non-coding RNAs, which play a crucial role in gene expression, assemble with proteins to form complexes that regulate biological processes. The lab employs advanced techniques, including single molecule fluorescence microscopy, to investigate these interactions in live cells and model systems like bacteria and yeast. The ultimate goal is to uncover the physical principles behind RNA-protein assembly that can inform therapeutic strategies for diseases linked to non-coding RNAs.
RNA-protein complexesgene expressionnon-coding RNARNA foldingribosome biosynthesissingle molecule microscopybioinformaticscellular machinerygenetic regulationdisease mechanisms
Research Aims
5AIM 01Define how non-coding RNA assembles with proteins to form functional complexes.
AIM 02Investigate the dynamic interactions between RNA and proteins under stress conditions.
AIM 03Explore the mechanisms of ribosome biosynthesis in bacteria and yeast.
AIM 04Visualize the folding of RNA molecules during gene expression processes.
AIM 05Develop new strategies for targeting RNA-protein interactions in therapeutic development.
Skills the Lab Values
single molecule fluorescence microscopyRNA extraction and analysisprotein purificationyeast manipulationbacterial culture techniquesbioinformatics softwareRibosome profilingmolecular cloning techniqueslive cell imaging
Output against the department
Publications231top 25% of dept.72nd of 286
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations11ktop 28% of dept.80th of 286
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.