Center for Post-Transcriptional Regulation 
EPSCoR | Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Technology 

The Center for Post-Transcriptional Regulation at LSU Health Shreveport creates a first-of-its-kind interdisciplinary research center dedicated to understanding how cells control metabolism through post-transcriptional processes. This work will reveal how RNA molecules and protein modifications regulate metabolism in the body, discoveries that may ultimately lead to new biotechnological advances and translational applications.

PROJECT AIMS

The Center will be dedicated to advancing the mechanistic understanding of post-transcriptional regulation as a driver of metabolic control. The project will pursue three interrelated goals:

1. Define the role of long non-coding RNAs in hepatocyte nutrient metabolism using CRISPR-engineered induced pluripotent stem cell-derived hepatocytes coupled with multiomic profiling and machine learning integration;
2. Elucidate how polyamine-mediated hypusination influences translation efficiency and metabolic output through ribosome profiling and RNA modification analyses
3. Characterize lactylation as a novel post-translational modification governing metabolic enzyme activity

These research activities will be supported by two centralized cores:

• The iPSC and Cell Models Core, which will provide standardized human hepatocyte models with CRISPR/Cas9 editing
• The Metabolomics and Machine Learning Core, which will enable multiomic data integration and predictive regulatory network modeling.

The anticipated contributions include:

• New mechanistic principles of post-transcriptional regulation
• Creation of widely distributed cellular and multiomic resources
• Establishment of a multidisciplinary training and outreach network that enhances regional biomedical research capacity at LSU Health Shreveport and throughout Northern Louisiana.

IMPACT BEYOND THE LABORATORY

Beyond its scientific impact, the center will serve as a powerful engine for education and workforce development in North Louisiana. It will offer immersive research opportunities with a strong focus on broadening participation in science and expanding various career opportunities for:

• high school students
• hands-on summer programs for undergraduates
• advanced training for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows
• professional development for faculty

By combining cutting-edge biotechnology with a strong commitment to training, the Center will strengthen the regional research ecosystem and prepare the next generation of scientists in Northern Louisiana, a region with historically lower levels of National Science Foundation research investment.