ZENKLUSEN LAB

Regulating gene expression, the process of reading and interpreting genetic information is a central task for all living organisms, and errors in this process cause many diseases, including cancer and various neurodegenerative diseases. We seek to understand the processes that modulate regulated expression of genes in cells by investigating the spatio-temporal regulation of RNA metabolism. Combining single molecule and super-resolution microscopy approaches with genetics and biochemistry we aim to gain a better understanding of the general rules that governing RNA metabolism, establishing the basis for a better understanding and treatment of complex diseases. Among our current research projects, we investigate how the nuclear pore complex regulates RNA transport and how the organization of (pre-) mRNP and lncRNP complexes modulates their function.

We are member of the department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine at the Université de Montréal. Our research is supported by  Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada ,  Fonds de recherche du Québec – Nature et technologies, the NOMIS Foundation, and the Canada Foundation for Innovation.

some recent works:

Bensidoun P, Reiter T, Montpetit B, Zenklusen D# and Oeffinger M#. Nuclear mRNA metabolism drives selective basket assembly on a subset of nuclear pores in budding yeast . Molecular Cell 2022 82 (20), 3856-3871. e6. #co-corresponding authors

Zhao C, Biondic S, Vandal K, Björklund ÅK, Hagemann-Jensen M, Sommer TM, Canizo J, Clark S, Raymond P, Raymond P, Zenklusen D, Rivron N, Reik W, Petropoulos S. Single-cell multi-omics of human preimplantation embryos shows susceptibility to glucocorticoids. Genome Research 2022 Aug 10;32(9):1627-41.

Jayabalan AK, Adivarahan S, Koppula A, Abraham R, Batish M, Zenklusen D, Griffin DE, Leung AKL. Stress granule formation, disassembly, and composition are regulated by alphavirus ADP-ribosylhydrolase activity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2021 Feb 9;118(6):e2021719118. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2021719118. 

Adivarahan S, Livingston N, Nicholson B, Rahman S, Wu B, Rissland O, Zenklusen D. Spatial organization of single mRNPs at different stages of the gene expression pathway. Molecular Cell. 2018 Nov 15;72(4):727-738.e5.

Lessard F, Igelmann S, Huot G, Le Calvé B, Montero B, St-Germain E, Mignacca L, Deschênes-Simard X, Moiseeva O, Zorca CE, Zenklusen D, Brakier-Gingras L, Bourdeau V and Ferbeyre G.Defective ribosome biogenesis in senescence reveals a novel checkpoint pathway to block cyclin dependent kinases. Nature Cell Biology. Jul;20(7):789-799.

WHY JOIN US?

We aim to make meaningful contributions to science while fostering an inclusive laboratory culture that values both individual growth and effective teamwork.  We believe that a diversity of perspectives makes for a stronger, more creative team.

GRADUATE STUDENTS

We are accepting Masters and PhD students! Contact Daniel to learn more about potential projects.

POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWS

We are accepting applications from interested postdoctoral fellows. Contact Daniel with your CV and a cover letter describing your previous work, future goals, and why you would like to come work with us.

where to find us

We are located at the Pavillon J.-Armand-Bombardier, part the shared campus of the Université de Montréal and the Polytechnique Montréal . You can find us on the 3rd floor.

Mailing address: