Gene Yeo is a pioneering scientist whose work has significantly advanced molecular biology, genetics, and neuroscience. As a professor of Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), he has made substantial contributions to understanding fundamental biological processes. His research has deepened our understanding of how genetic information is managed within cells and its implications for human health.
Pioneering Research in RNA Biology
Gene Yeo’s research has impacted RNA biology, a field exploring the diverse roles of ribonucleic acid within cells. RNA molecules are more than simple messengers; they participate in gene expression, regulate protein production, and influence various cellular activities. Yeo’s work has illuminated the importance of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), which attach to RNA and control its fate, including splicing, stability, localization, and translation.
He has developed high-throughput methods and computational tools to systematically study RNA and RBP interactions on a large scale. One innovation is enhanced CLIP (crosslinking immunoprecipitation), a technique that allows for comprehensive mapping of protein-RNA interactions across the entire transcriptome. His laboratory also developed STAMP technology, which provides transcriptome-wide identification of RBP sites and measures mRNA translation at single-cell resolution with isoform sensitivity. These advancements have provided insights into how RBPs regulate gene expression and maintain cellular balance.
Understanding Neurodegenerative Diseases
Gene Yeo’s research in RNA biology has deepened our understanding of neurodegenerative diseases, conditions characterized by the progressive loss of neurons. His work has focused on diseases such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD), Huntington’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. He has demonstrated how disruptions in RNA processing and the function of RNA-binding proteins contribute to their pathology.
For instance, his lab has investigated specific proteins like TDP-43 and FUS, as well as the C9orf72 gene, which are frequently implicated in ALS and FTD. Dysregulation of these proteins, often leading to their abnormal aggregation or mislocalization, interferes with normal RNA metabolism, leading to cellular dysfunction and neuronal death. Yeo’s studies have shown that mutations in these genes can lead to aberrant aggregation of RNA and protein, forming stress granules linked to disease progression.
Innovations in Therapeutic Development
The insights from Gene Yeo’s academic research are being translated into therapeutic strategies and diagnostic tools, particularly for neurodegenerative diseases. His understanding of how protein-RNA complexes regulate cellular pathways has led to the development of RNA-targeting therapies. This includes approaches to modify gene expression by altering RBP-RNA interactions.
His work has also explored the use of RNA-targeting CRISPR/Cas technologies as a programmable method to modify gene expression. This technology can be engineered to destroy toxic RNA molecules implicated in diseases such as myotonic dystrophy, Huntington’s disease, and ALS caused by C9orf72 repeat expansions. Yeo is a co-founder of several biotechnology companies, including Locana, Eclipse Bioinnovations, Enzerna, and Proteona, which aim to apply these discoveries to develop new treatments. These efforts are paving the way for a new generation of RNA-based medicines and diagnostic markers.