Assistant Professor, Basic Sciences Division

B.A., Colby College

Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison

Cells contain tens of millions of protein molecules responsible for conducting the many functions required for life, including sending nerve signals, tightening muscles, fighting off viruses and more. These proteins are made by tiny molecular machines called ribosomes, which use the information stored in genes to build the proteins found in cells. At any given moment, millions of ribosomes must find the correct set of genetic instructions and start reading them at exactly the right spot. When this critical process goes awry, it can lead to many diseases, including cancer, developmental disorders, autoimmune diseases, and neurodegenerative conditions.

The Lapointe Lab uses cutting-edge technologies that capture ‘molecular movies’ of individual ribosomes at work, to see and understand how healthy cells control protein production and how this control breaks down in disease. These discoveries will help reveal potential new strategies for treating disorders connected to ribosomal dysfunction.