# RNA Biology Lab

> For studying the mechanisms of regulation mRNA translation


## Posts

- [Welcome to the RNA Biology Lab](https://jafarnejad-lab.com/welcome-to-the-rna-biology-lab/): Located at the Johnston Centre for Cancer Research in Queen’s University Belfast we are dedicated to understanding the intricate mechanisms that regulate mRNA translation and decay and how these processes are disrupted in diseases. Explore our work and join us in advancing the frontiers of RNA biology!

## Pages

- [Contact Us](https://jafarnejad-lab.com/contact-us/): Find us on Google Map RNA Biology Lab Patrick G. Johnston Centre for Cancer Research,  Queen’s University Belfast,  2nd Floor,97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, UK,  BT9 7AE Email: sm.jafarnejad@qub.ac.uk
- [News & Events](https://jafarnejad-lab.com/news-events/): Competitive PhD Studentship open to both domestic and international students. We are inviting applications for a fully funded 4-year PhD studentship through the BBSRC-funded NorthWestBio PhD Programme. The project is a collaboration with Alfredo Castello‘s group at University of Glasgow. The successful candidate will be primarily based in Glasgow, with opportunities to interact closely with collaborators in Belfast. This multidisciplinary project sits at the intersection of RNA biology and the host-pathogen response, focusing on the mechanisms of translational regulation mediated by GIGYF1/2 proteins in controlling host responses to RNA virus infections.The successful candidate will lead a cutting-edge research project in RNA […]
- [People](https://jafarnejad-lab.com/people/): Seyed Mehdi Jafarnejad; Principle Investigator Mehdi earned his PhD in Experimental Medicine from The University of British Columbia, Vancouver (2008–2012), where he studied dysregulated gene expression mechanisms in melanoma metastasis. He then completed postdoctoral training at McGill University, Montreal (2013–2018), focusing on the regulation of cap-dependent mRNA translation by microRNAs and RNA-binding proteins. In 2019, he joined the Johnston Centre for Cancer Research as a Principal Investigator to establish the RNA Biology Lab. His research group investigates the regulation of mRNA translation and decay, with a particular focus on their roles in cellular responses to anticancer treatments and viral infections. […]
- [Publications](https://jafarnejad-lab.com/publications/): See the full publications list on PubMed. 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019
- [Welcome to the RNA Biology Lab](https://jafarnejad-lab.com/home/): Located at the Johnston Centre for Cancer Research in Queen’s University Belfast we are dedicated to understanding the intricate mechanisms that regulate mRNA translation and decay and how these processes are disrupted in diseases. Explore our work and join us in advancing the frontiers of RNA biology! Our research has been made possible by:
- [Research](https://jafarnejad-lab.com/research/): 1. Mechanisms of regulation of translation initiation We investigate the intricate mechanisms regulating translation initiation, a critical step in mRNA translation where ribosomes assemble on mRNA to begin protein synthesis. We focus on understanding how various factors, including eukaryotic initiation factors (eIFs), RNA-binding proteins, microRNAs, and signaling pathways, influence the initiation process. Through a combination of molecular biology, biochemistry, and advanced genomics approaches, we strive to provide new insights into the fundamental control of protein synthesis and identify potential targets for therapeutic intervention. 2. Translational regulation of the innate immune response We explore the role of translational regulation in shaping […]


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