Sherlock works on “riboswitches” — a type of gene control device in bacteria made of RNA. The switches she studies are triggered by a toxic molecule called guanidine. Her research has shown that these RNAs turn on a variety of genes whose function it is to overcome the toxic effects of guanidine when it builds up to high levels. Ron Breaker, the Sterling Professor of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and professor of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry is her adviser. Sherlock recently won prizes at the annual RNA Society meeting in Japan and at an RNA Society-sponsored meeting in Florida for this research.
P.E.O. Scholar Awards were established in 1991 to provide substantial merit-based funding for a select group of women chosen for their high level of academic achievement and their potential for having a positive impact on society.
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