Penalva Lab
Luiz O.F. Penalva, PhD
Rank: Professor
Department: Cell Systems & Anatomy
Office: 3.100.10
Tel: 210-562-9049
penalva@uthscsa.edu:
Major components of my research program include:
- Screening and characterization of RBPs and miRNAs implicated in neuronal stem cell function and brain tumors.
- Construction of regulatory maps for neuronal differentiation and brain tumor development.
- Development and improvement of computational and functional methods for miRNA/RBP target identification and functional outcome.
- Development of RNA-based approaches for therapy.
Publications
Spotlight
Selected Publications:
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- Proneural and mesenchymal glioma stem cells display major differences in splicing and lncRNA profiles.
- Zika Virus Targets Glioblastoma Stem Cells through a SOX2-Integrin αvβ5 Axis.
- ELF4 Is a Target of miR-124 and Promotes Neuroblastoma Proliferation and Undifferentiated State.
- The Diverse Roles of RNA-Binding Proteins in Glioma Development.
- Antagonism between the RNA-binding protein Musashi1 and miR-137 and its potential impact on neurogenesis and glioblastoma development.
Lab Research
Expertise
RNA biology, genomics, RNA binding proteins, miRNAs, alternative splicing, translation, brain tumors
Research
RNA binding proteins (RBPs) and miRNAs play significant roles in gene expression by controlling all stages of mRNA processing, its transport, localization, decay, and translation. My laboratory studies these two regulators from a global perspective. We use a combination of genomics, systems biology, biochemistry, bioinformatics, and molecular biology to investigate the networks formed by RNA binding proteins, miRNAs and their target genes and evaluate their impact on biological processes, cancer, and disease states. I am particularly interested in the neuronal tissue and the analysis of gene regulators implicated in both differentiation and brain tumor development.
Projects
- Musashi1 in brain tumor development
- miRNAs in neurogenesis and brain tumor development
- Alternative splicing and translation regulation
- Understanding the dynamics of translation regulation
Make a donation to help further Dr. Penalva’s research.
Lab Staff
Tesha Landry
Research Assistant
Xiufen Lei
Research Scientist
Yiqiang Zhang, PhD
Research Scientist
2021 Donald G McEwen, Memorial Summer Undergraduate Research Program student
- Gabriella Quintanilla
Featured News
Luiz O.F. Penalva PhD Awarded CPRIT Grant to Study New Glioblastoma (GBM) Regulator
Luiz O.F. Penalva PhD Awarded CPRIT Grant to Study Glioblastoma (GBM)
Luiz O.F. Penalva, PhD, Co-corresponding Senior Author on NPJ Genomic Medicine publication.
- RNA Biology: The Paralogues MAGOH and MAGOHB are Oncogenic Factors in High-Grade Gliomas and Safeguard the Splicing of Cell Division and Cell Cycle Genes (Penalva Lab) June 9, 2023
- Luiz O.F. Penalva PhD to Receive ThriveWell Cancer Foundation, and IIMS / CTSA Grants March 24, 2023
- Luiz Penalva, PhD to Receive Mike Hogg Fund Award December 15, 2022