Postdoctoral Fellowship Award 2023: Jae Hwang

Institution: University of Louisville

Department: Computer Science and Engineering

Rank: Postdoctoral Fellow

Project Title: The translation of circular RNA: development of bioinformatics tools for identifying candidates of circRNA translation

About the Project: My research focus is on understanding the role of circular RNAs (circRNAs), specifically the function and mechanism of protein synthesis using the circRNA as a template. By analyzing high-throughput sequencing data, I study to identify differently expressed circular RNAs and their usage for making proteins off from the circRNA. More and more reports that differential circRNA expressions are related to many diseases including cancer. By identifying circRNAs and their translation to make proteins in the cell, I hope to elucidate the impact and mechanism of how circRNAs play roles in cell development and disease progress.  

Intended Outcomes: Our goal is to identify differentially expressed circRNAs and to find evidence that circRNAs are being used to express proteins. In addition, we want to develop bioinformatics tools that facilitate the process more reliable. Accurate identification of circRNA and their candidate translation to protein will help us understand how circRNAs regulate gene expression and help us come up better treatment for diseases including cancer.

Outside of the Lab/Classroom: I enjoy playing tennis and running.