Research in our laboratory primarily focuses on determining the function of evolutionarily-conserved RNA binding proteins. These RNA binding proteins play critical roles at many steps in gene expression. Interestingly, mutations in genes that encode ubiquitously expressed RNA binding proteins often lead to tissue-specific diseases. We study two such RNA binding proteins, one linked to neuronal dysfunction and one associated with a form of muscular dystrophy.  Our approach to science is highly collaborative allowing us to use a large number of experimental approaches and systems to address important biological questions. We use several genetic model systems including the budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the fruit fly, Drosophila, and transgenic mice. As a complement to genetic approaches, we use biochemistry, cell biology, systems methods (RNA-Seq, proteomics, etc), and structural biology.