Michal Rabani

Dr. Michal Rabani

RNA Regulation of Early Zebrafish Embryogenesis

Cell & Developmental Biology

Personal Information

Research Interests

We use the zebrafish embryo as an in-vivo model to study RNA biology of vertebrate development. Changes in the RNA content of embryonic pluripotent cells lead them to assume more specialized identities. Large efforts strive to understand how the ‘birth’ of RNA (transcription) direct developmental changes, but less is known about the regulation of RNA after its production: during RNA splicing, localization, and ‘death’ by degradation. The zebrafish embryo provides important research advantages in easy manipulations through microinjection, large numbers of embryos and powerful imaging tools within optically transparent embryos.

Research Overview (176.47 KB)

Dissertation Topics

Principles of post-transcriptional RNA regulation: How does it shape gene expression? What are the molecular circuits? And what are its functional and physiological implications?
Gene regulatory networks of cellular programing during zebrafish embryogenesis, focusing on the maternal-to-zygotic transition.
Developing and implementing high-throughput assays for a systematic analysis of post-transcriptional RNA regulation on a genome-scale (e.g., RNA-seq, CRISPR/CAS9 genetic screens, massively parallel reporter assays).
Designing statistical models of RNA regulatory networks and developing computational tools that explains and predicts RNA regulation from genomic measurements.