The Search Paradigm

The circle above illustrates our basic "molecular method" for detecting organisms in a sample. These are the techniques used by both medical and environmental "search".

Projects:

The Pace Lab projects fall in to two large categories: "P" and "Search." "P" people study RNaseP, a catalytic RNA that functions in the conversion of pre-tRNA to functional tRNA, and its associated proteins through biochemical and biophysical methods. "Search" researchers use molecular methods, such as cloning and sequencing, to detect microorganisms in various environments.

Catalytic RNAs: This project includes studies of RNase P RNA, its catalytic function and associated proteins, as well as other functional RNAs such as miRNAs.

Medical Microbiology: These studys focus on the microbial basis of many diseases including Crohn's Disease, Tuberculosis, and Cystic Fibrosis.

Environmental Microbiology: Most microbes in the environment are unculturable. As a result, these projects use methods not requiring culture to detect organisms in environments as varied as buildings, hot springs, anoxic microbial mats, and others.