My laboratory has devoted extensive efforts to the mechanistic understanding of various aspects of mammalian gene regulation, particularly focusing on roles of RNA editing and regulatory RNAs: Decoding the hidden message of RNA editome. We are one of the earliest groups that exploit the high-throughput sequencing approach in demarcating the widespread A-to-I RNA editing events, which constitute an integral step in generating primate transcriptome diversity. We established a computational pipeline to extensively archive transcriptome-wide RNA editing events (Nat. Biotechnol. 2012, 30:253), which paved the way for large-scale studies and for advancing our understanding of this gene regulatory process in human. As a proof of principle, we reported quantitative tissue-specific RNA editome profiles for rhesus macaque, a close relative of human (PLoS Genet. 2014, 10:e1004274), and more recently a new mechanism for the functionality of RNA editing – a crosstalk with piRNA biogenesis – by deciphering RNA editome across the piRNA species (Mol Biol Evol. 2015, 32:3143). The expression of these editing-bearing piRNA variants (epiRNAs) illustrates the contribution of primate RNA editing to the diversification of the piRNA repertoire. In a more functional context, ADAR1 was found to mediate 3’ UTR editing and expression control of antiapoptosis genes, thus fine-tuning cellular apoptosis response (Cell Death and Disease 2017, 8:e2833). More recently, we reported a functional coordination between ADAR1 and an antisense non-coding RNA in the regulation of HIF-1α expression, with significant implications in maintaining robust hypoxia signaling and controlling tumor progression (EMBO Reports 2019, 20:e47107). “Non-coding” RNAs with big impact in cell biology. Regulatory RNAs such as microRNAs and lncRNAs are known to impart post-transcriptional regulation to critical factors in various cellular signaling and functional networks. Our recent works have broadened the realm of ncRNA biology by functionally delineating several microRNA-centric regulatory axes: 1) Our studies uncovered two distinct circuitries that underlie proper progression of skeletal myogenesis – the miR-546-Mybbp1a (EMBO J. 2012, 31:1739) and miR-1/206-ADAR1 (Cell Death Differ. 2014, 21:707), both of which contribute to the scheduled gene program transitions. 2) We also discovered that nucleolar size and rRNA pool in Caenorhabditis elegans is under the tight control of a novel genetic cascade, let-7-ncl-1-fib-1 (PLos Genet. 2015, 11:e1005580). 3) A miR-31-5p-ACOX1-PGE2 pathway was delineated that underpins overall cellular lipidome profiles as well as the migratory and invasive abilities of oral cancer cells (Theranostics 2018, 8:486). Student will be part of a team with a particular research focus. He/she will learn the basic techniques at the beginning, and upon becoming familiar, will independently design and carry out experiments under the supervision of the team leader. He/she will be assigned with certain tasks that are related to the overall research direction, and will be responsible to carry out experiments and/or generate the necessary reagents.