Our laboratory is broadly interested in the molecular mechanisms and consequences of RNA cleavage in the cell. Presence of viral pathogens can trigger the activation of a host endonuclease, RNase L. Activated RNase L cleaves both viral and host RNAs in single stranded regions, serving as a key component in the innate immune response. Besides this fundamental role in the response against viruses, mutations in the RNASEL gene are associated with cancer, bacterial infections and autoimmunity. The current questions we are investigating: How do RNases, such as RNase L, select their targets? How is RNase activity modulated? Can we use this knowledge to guide future therapies? How does RNase activity influence physiological changes in the cell? How do mutations in RNases affect outcomes of human diseases?  To answer these questions, we apply a variety of molecular techniques including enzymology, structural biology and high-throughput sequencing (RNA-seq, ribosome profiling, Nanopore long-read sequencing) in vitro and in cell cultures.