RNA methylation in immune activation and autoimmune diseases

Within the translational research setting of the vLoosdregt/Vastert group, I will investigate the molecular processes that regulate T cell and monocyte function. A better understanding of these fundamental processes can pave the way for novel therapeutic strategies to treat autoimmune diseases such as Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. More specifically, I will investigate the role of RNA-methylation in immune activation and autoimmune diseases. RNA-methylation is a relatively underexplored post-transcriptional process that (amongst others) regulates RNA/protein expression. During this PhD project, I will assess the signaling pathways that regulate RNA-methylation in immune cells and evaluate the impact of RNA-methylation on immune activation.