Trypanosomatids possess several specific features compared to other eukaryotes, as for example differences in ribosome structure and specific mechanisms for RNA processing. In order to contribute to the understanding of the trypanosomatid-specific mechanisms, we investigate the structure and function of trypanosomatid ribonucleases, which are involved in the processing of different types of RNA and we aim at the characterization of the mechanism of ribosome synthesis by determining the composition and structure of pre-ribosomal complexes. This project comprises structural studies, functional assays in vitro and phenotypic characterization of T. brucei mutants generated by RNA interference.

The components and interaction pattern of translation factors from Trypanosomatid parasites display important differences relative to their hosts. This project aims to characterize these differences from a structural and molecular point of view, in order to identify new potential targets for the development of inhibitors that selectively act on the parasites without affecting protein synthesis in host cells.