Roy R. Parker
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
University of California, San Francisco (PhD)
Cech-Leinwand Endowed Chair of Biochemistry at the University of Colorado Boulder
Roy Parker | |
|---|---|
| Born | Roy R. Parker |
| Title | Member of the National Academy of Sciences |
| Scientific career | |
| Alma mater | Carnegie Mellon University (BSc) University of California, San Francisco (PhD) |
| Known for | Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry Cech-Leinwand Endowed Chair of Biochemistry at the University of Colorado Boulder |
| Fields | Biochemistry Chemistry |
| Institutions | University of Arizona University of Colorado Boulder University of California, San Francisco University of California, San Diego University of Massachusetts Medical School Howard Hughes Medical Institute National Academy of Sciences |
| Website | www |
| External videos | |
|---|---|
 Roy Parker, “Improving Graduate Training”, iBiology | |
| Roy Parker, “The Life of Eukaryotic mRNA: Localization, Translation, and Degradation”, iBiology |
Roy R. Parker is a biochemist who has been an active investigator in science since the 1970s. He is currently a Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Cech-Leinwand Endowed Chair of Biochemistry at the University of Colorado Boulder. Throughout his life, Parker has contributed a vast degree of knowledge to research and studies of biochemistry. His current focus includes the biogenesis, function, and degradation of multiple forms of RNA in eukaryotes. Parker aims to use his research to understand how various diseases and pathologies result from abnormalities in RNA.[1] In 2012, Parker was elected to the National Academy of Sciences in Biochemistry.[2]
To start his career, Parker attended Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry. After graduating from Carnegie Mellon in 1979, he moved on to receive his PhD in genetics with Christine Guthrie at the University of California, San Francisco, California in 1985. From 1985-1987, Parker worked in laboratories for his postdoctoral degree at both the University of California, San Francisco, and the University of California, San Diego.[3] Later, Parker was a postdoctoral fellow with Allan Jacobson at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester, MA from 1988-89.[4]
Career
Parker began his laboratory at the University of Arizona in 1989, and was a professor molecular and cellular biology until 2012 when he moved to be a professor at the University of Colorado Boulder.[4] He is currently the Cech-Leinwand Endowed Chair of Biochemistry as well as professor in chemistry and biochemistry courses. Parker is a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator (since 1994). [1]
Research interests
The primary investigations of Parker's research include the analysis of eukaryotic RNA and the effects that flawed types of RNA have on the biochemical mechanisms of the body.[1] More technically, his lab addresses the regulation of RNA molecules, how that impacts normal physiology of eukaryotic cells, and how aberrant RNA regulation contributes to human disease. His lab uses yeast and mammalian cells to examine oligo(U) and oligo(A) tailing and detailing, tau protein in RNA biology and RNA chaperones.
Key conclusions
Important research findings first began when Parker and his lab team established the major pathways of eukaryotic mRNA turnover. These pathways have the potential to generate mRNA degradation and decapping. Next, the lab group pinpointed major nucleases that contribute to mRNA degradation, as well as the molecules that help facilitate this event. Some of these facilitators include decapping enzymes, 3' to 5' decay complexes, and deadenylases. In years following, Parker and co-workers collected enough data to conclude that some decapping and decay proteins are translational repressors. In other words, Parker determined that decapping and translation could be thought of as rivals, for their mechanisms oppose each other. Finally, most recently, the lab group has discovered several cytoplasmic mRNP granules most notably P bodies.[2]
Major contributions
In addition to publishing hundreds of research articles in scientific journals, Parker has supported the education of students around the country. Some of his talks are published online. These focus on topics including improving graduate training and "The Life of Eukaryotic mRNA: Localization, Translation, and Degradation". These video lectures are published online to educate students and other scientists.[4]