Frances Diehl
I did this research in the Green lab, where we study ribosomes, the molecular machines that carry out protein synthesis. Cells regulate ribosome levels to support robust protein synthesis in favorable conditions and preserve resources in stress conditions. Mammalian cells degrade intact ribosomes in response to stress, but the mechanisms have been unclear. We found that during amino acid starvation, 40S ribosomal subunits are marked with ubiquitin on specific ribosomal proteins. The atypical kinase RIOK3 then specifically binds these ubiquitylated 40S ribosomes and induces their degradation by triggering decay of their ribosomal RNA. Together, our work describes a pathway that regulates ribosome levels during stress by connecting ribosome ubiquitylation to downstream degradation of the ribosomal RNA itself.
Questions & Answers
Why did you choose Johns Hopkins for your work?
When I was looking at labs for my postdoc, it was clear to me that the people at Hopkins were excited both about their own work and about their colleagues’ work. The people here bring a wide range of expertise together, creating a supportive and engaging environment for doing science.
What does receiving this award mean to you personally and professionally? Do you have any connection with the particular award you received?
I am honored to receive this award and grateful for the mentors and peers who have helped my scientific development. This award is named for Daniel Nathans, who was the director of the same department my lab is in and whose pioneering work on restriction enzymes remains fundamental to every molecular biologist today and is directly applied to so many projects, including my own.
What contributed to your project’s success?
The creativity and insights from all the members of the Green lab, as well as guidance from my mentor and our department, have been essential to this project. This project has benefited tremendously from a collaboration with our colleagues in the lab of Dr. Jingdong Cheng at Fudan University. Their cryo-EM and biochemical work was critical to this project’s success; it was great to work with them and always fun to talk through our results on Zoom meetings spanning our 12-hour time difference.
What thoughts do you have about Young Investigators’ Day itself, as a celebration of the roles students and fellows play in research at Johns Hopkins?
Young Investigators’ Day is an important opportunity for trainees to share their work with the Hopkins community. Students and fellows are
indispensable for driving research at every institution, and this program is a great way to recognize the impact their work makes.
What has been your best/most memorable experience while at Johns Hopkins?
Some of my best memories here are from spending time with labmates, from dancing at our lab’s 25th anniversary celebration to game nights that get slightly too competitive. It is a joy to spend time with them both in and out of lab!
What are your plans for the next year or so? Graduating, looking for faculty positions, etc.?
I plan to follow up on the exciting new directions of our work while I plan for the next steps of my career.
Tell me something interesting about yourself that makes you unique. Do you have any special hobbies, interests or life experiences?
I enjoy being active and getting outside, especially running and exploring local parks in Baltimore and D.C. I’m also learning woodworking — I’ve only made small things like picture frames so far, but I hope to one day be able to make furniture.