Yale University · BiochemistryCenter for Viral RNA Research
Joan A. Steitz · New Haven, Connecticut
Research Focus
Dr. Joan A. Steitz's lab at Yale University studies how certain viruses can manipulate their host cells using noncoding RNAs, which are special RNA molecules that don't make proteins but influence gene function. By investigating these noncoding RNAs associated with oncogenic herpesviruses such as Epstein-Barr virus and Kaposi's sarcoma-associated virus, the lab aims to uncover novel mechanisms of RNA behavior and its implications in cancer. Their research could lead to new therapeutic strategies to combat viral infections and related cancers.
noncoding RNAsherpesvirusesviral manipulationcancer biologyepigenetics
Research Aims
5AIM 01Investigate the roles of viral noncoding RNAs in lymphoid cells.
AIM 02Uncover novel mechanisms of microRNA biogenesis and decay.
AIM 03Identify proteins involved in cellular microRNA degradation.
AIM 04Analyze the stabilization activity of triplex-forming elements in viral RNAs.
AIM 05Explore the interactions between viral transcripts in EBV-infected cells.
Skills the Lab Values
RNA sequencingPCRcell culturemolecular cloningWestern blottingbioinformaticsX-ray crystallographyfluorescence microscopymass spectrometry
Output against the department
Publications334top 18% of dept.71st of 402
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations48ktop 5% of dept.20th 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.