Sternberg Lab

In summary: IStrons cram three mutually competing functions into one sequence. Our library approach reveals the molecular rules governing this balance, and why ωRNA consistently comes out on top. biorxiv.org/content/10.648…

Splicing has an Achilles' heel: it's exquisitely sensitive to 3' exon sequences. Each new transposition event generates a novel exon context — many incompatible with efficient splicing. This vulnerability may explain why ωRNA formation is so heavily favored.

New preprint from the Sternberg lab!  biorxiv.org/content/10.648… We used pooled oligonucleotide library mutagenesis + high-throughput sequencing to systematically dissect the molecular determinants of IStron transposition, RNA-guided DNA cleavage, and self-splicing.

Links to the published articles: tinyurl.com/55kpavet tinyurl.com/sk6djwx3 Previous thread for the preprint: tinyurl.com/2977n32a

Out now! In collaboration with @LeifuChangLab, we uncover the molecular and structural underpinnings of CRISPR-Cas12f-like RNA-guided transcription systems! Links to the articles in the following tweet:

1/n Metagenomics lets us read microbiomes in nature without cultivation, but writing (editing) them in their native context is still a major challenge. Meet MetaEdit: a platform for pathway-scale metagenomic editing inside the gut microbiome. science.org/doi/10.1126/sc…

Genome maintenance by telomerase is a fundamental process in nearly all eukaryotes. But where does it come from? Today, we report the discovery of telomerase homologs in a family of antiviral RTs, revealing an unexpected evolutionary origin in bacteria. doi.org/10.1101/2025.1…

16/16 This work was a big team effort and fun collaboration! Thanks to everyone: Matt, Egill, Tanner, Jing, Zaofeng, Americo, Florian, Hamna, Ryan, Nick, Israel and our stellar mentor Sam for making this project possible!

15/16 In summary, we shed light on the biological role of a naturally occurring version of CRISPR interference (CRISPRi), that emerged in gut-associated bacteria to benefit multiple aspects of their lifestyle.

1/16 New pre-print from the Sternberg Lab! We uncover how temperate phages can use RNA-guided transcription factors to remodel the flagellar composition of their bacterial host and enhance their fitness. Find the preprint and full story here: tinyurl.com/mshwjd77