Syam Somasekharan
Assistant Professor
Research Classification
Research Interests
RNA Biology
Cell Biology
molecular biology
Biomolecular Condensates
Nucleolus
mRNA Translation
Liquid-liquid Phase Separation
Relevant Thesis-Based Degree Programs
Affiliations to Research Centres, Institutes & Clusters
Research Options
I am available and interested in collaborations (e.g. clusters, grants).
I am interested in and conduct interdisciplinary research.
I am interested in working with undergraduate students on research projects.
Research Methodology
Relationship between RNA granule machinery and prostate cancer treatment resistance.
Role of epitranscriptomic (m6A) RNA modifications in the translational regulation of androgen receptor (AR) mRNA.
Mechanism of liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) of intrinsically disordered proteins - G3BP1, FMRP and YTHDF3- and RNA.
Molecular mechanisms of the control of gene expression at multiple levels - mRNA synthesis, transport, localisation and degradation.
Multiomics approach to profile RNA granules and define selective mRNA translation.
Nucleolus, phase separation, stress response, and treatment resistance.
Recruitment
Master's students
Doctoral students
Postdoctoral Fellows
2024
2025
- Nucleolus, phase separation, stress response, and treatment resistance.
- Multiomics approach to profile RNA granules and define selective mRNA translation.
- Molecular mechanisms of the control of gene expression at multiple levels - mRNA synthesis, transport, localisation and degradation.
- Relationship between RNA granule machinery and prostate cancer treatment resistance.
- Mechanism of liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) of intrinsically disordered proteins - G3BP1, FMRP and YTHDF3- and RNA.
- Role of epitranscriptomic (m6A) RNA modifications in the translational regulation of androgen receptor (AR) mRNA.
- Master's student: A recent BSc or BS with a passion for research and research experience in cell and molecular biology. Students without experience will also be considered.
- Doctoral student: A recent MSc or MS student with a passion for research and research experience in cell and molecular biology. Students without experience will also be considered.
- Postdoctoral Fellow: A recent PhD in cell biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, or related subject. The ideal candidate should be able to work independently, be passionate about cell biology, and be committed to conducting high-quality research. The candidate should have experience in techniques including RNA in situ hybridisation, RNA-electrophoretic mobility shift assay, immunofluorescence microscopy, sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation, northern blotting, recombinant protein purification using prokaryotic expression system, and RNA sequence analysis, as evidenced by first author publications in peer-reviewed journals.
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Publications
- Androgen receptor (AR) antagonism triggers acute succinate‐mediated adaptive responses to reactivate AR signaling (2021)
EMBO Molecular Medicine, 13 (5) - SARS‐CoV‐2 nucleocapsid protein interacts with immunoregulators and stress granules and phase separates to form liquid droplets (2021)
FEBS Letters, 595 (23), 2872--2896 - SILAC-based quantitative MS approach reveals Withaferin A regulated proteins in prostate cancer. (2021)
Journal of proteomics, - G3BP1-linked mRNA partitioning supports selective protein synthesis in response to oxidative stress (2020)
Nucleic Acids Research, - Class I HDAC inhibitors enhance YB ‐1 acetylation and oxidative stress to block sarcoma metastasis (2019)
EMBO reports, - Co-translational assembly of proteasome subunits in NOT1-containing assemblysomes. (2019)
Nature structural & molecular biology, - Stress-induced tunneling nanotubes support treatment adaptation in prostate cancer. (2019)
Scientific reports, - An Aqueous Extract of Marine Microalgae Exhibits Antimetastatic Activity through Preferential Killing of Suspended Cancer Cells and Anticolony Forming Activity. (2016)
- eEF2K inhibition blocks Aβ42 neurotoxicity by promoting an NRF2 antioxidant response. (2016)
- Translational Activation of HIF1α by YB-1 Promotes Sarcoma Metastasis. (2015)
- YB-1 regulates stress granule formation and tumor progression by translationally activating G3BP1. (2015)
- HACE1 reduces oxidative stress and mutant Huntingtin toxicity by promoting the NRF2 response. (2014)
- The eEF2 kinase confers resistance to nutrient deprivation by blocking translation elongation. (2013)
- TRAIL promotes membrane blebbing, detachment and migration of cells displaying a dysfunctional intrinsic pathway of apoptosis. (2013)
- Identification and quantification of newly synthesized proteins translationally regulated by YB-1 using a novel Click-SILAC approach. (2012)
- Membrane remodeling induced by the dynamin-related protein Drp1 stimulates Bax oligomerization. (2010)
- Cloning of two chickpea cDNAs encoding calcium-dependent protein kinase isoforms (2007)
Current Science, - Expression and localization of calcium-dependent protein kinase isoforms in chickpea. (2006)
- Heterologous expression and biochemical characterization of two calcium-dependent protein kinase isoforms CaCPK1 and CaCPK2 from chickpea. (2006)
Membership Status
Partner appointment
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Location
Vancouver General Hospital
Program Affiliations
Academic Unit(s)
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