Sophia Flad

The process of protein synthesis requires transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules that carry amino acids to the ribosomes. RNA modifications change the molecular structure of tRNA which in turn influences the accuracy and speed of protein synthesis.

Sophia uses human embryonic stem cell culture to investigate the function of tRNA modifications in the early development of the human brain. She hopes her findings will help to better understand neurodevelopmental disorders that occur when RNA modifications are aberrantly deposited into tRNA.