UW-Madison Dept of Bacteriology
Karen M. Wassarman
Associate Professor of Bacteriology
5550 Microbial Sciences Building
1550 Linden Drive
(608) 262-8106
wassarman@bact.wisc.edu
Research Focus
All organisms contain small RNAs that participate in diverse cellular activities including RNA processing, mRNA stability, translation, protein stability and secretion. These RNAs are defined by their size (< 350 nucleotides in length) and by the fact that they function as an RNA moiety that is not translated into protein. The research in my laboratory focuses on small RNAs in bacteria using molecular, biochemical and genetic approaches to investigate the function and mechanism of action of these RNAs. For example, the 6S RNA is a highly stable and abundant small RNA that associates with and regulates RNA polymerase. Cells with altered levels of 6S RNA show decreased ability to survive stationary phase. Further investigation of 6S RNA action and the genes it regulates has lead to a better understanding of this novel mechanism controlling gene expression. In addition, understanding 6S RNA function may provide insights into how cells are able to survive extended nutrient starvation.