Ashesh A. Saraiya
I did my doctoral work at Wayne State University in Detroit, MI where I used site-directed mutagenesis to explore ribosomal genetics using the E. coli ribosomal system.
At UCSF I am interested in understanding gene regulation in the deeply branching organism Giardia lamblia. I have identified and characterized the presence of microRNAs in Giardia which may be a major mechanism of gene regulation in this organism. I have also identified a novel mechanism of microRNA biogenesis using small nucleolar RNAs. I am currently trying to understand the interaction between Giardia microRNAs and the regulation of variant surface proteins proteins that are involved in infection.
When not in the lab I enjoy reading, photography, exploring San Francisco, and rooting for Detroit's great ice hockey team. Go Wings!