Andrew Jakymiw
Oral Biology
Research Assistant Professor
Phone: 352.273.8860
E-Mail: ajakymiw@dental.ufl.edu
- Ph.D., Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Calgary, 2002
- B.Sc., Biochemistry, University of Calgary, 1996
Main Interests
RNA interference (RNAi) is revolutionizing gene function studies and there is considerable excitement about harnessing RNAi for therapy. The prospect of using small non-coding RNAs, such as siRNAs or shRNAs, as potent inhibitors to any gene of choice provides a new therapeutic approach for many intractable diseases.
Our goal is to address the feasibility of applying RNAi-based therapeutics for the treatment of diseases originating in the oral cavity, in particular oral cancer. Currently, the following research areas are under investigation:
- Characterization of mRNA decay- and RNAi-associated molecular components and subcellular structures in oral cancer cells.
- Determining the feasibility of using an siRNA-based drug approach for the treatment of oral cancer in vitro and in vivo.
- Determining the feasibility of using an RNAi-based gene therapy approach for the treatment of oral cancer in vitro and in vivo.
A major advantage is that the mouth is readily accessible to manipulation and may be especially suitable for RNAi-based treatments. The long-term research goal is to exploit this novel technology and develop it into an effective therapy for oral cancer. By harnessing RNAi for oral medicine it will allow both scientists and clinicians to silence diseases of the oral cavity.
Selected Publications
- Andino LM, Takeda M, Kasahara H, Jakymiw A, Byrne BJ, Lewin AS. AAV-mediated knockdown of phospholamban leads to improved contractility and calcium handling in cardiomyocytes. J Gene Med. 2008 Feb, 10(2):132-42.
- Jakymiw A, Pauley KM, Li S, Ikeda K, Lian S, Eystathioy T, Satoh M, Fritzler MJ, Chan EK. The role of GW/P-bodies in RNA processing and silencing. J Cell Sci. 2007 Apr 15, 120(Pt 8):1317-23.
- Pauley KM, Eystathioy T, Jakymiw A, Hamel JC, Fritzler MJ, Chan EK. Formation of GW bodies is a consequence of microRNA genesis. EMBO Rep. 2006 Sep, 7(9):904-10.
- Jakymiw A, Ikeda K, Fritzler MJ, Reeves WH, Satoh M, Chan EK. Autoimmune targeting of key components of RNA interference. Arthritis Res Ther. 2006, 8(4):R87.
- Lian S, Jakymiw A, Eystathioy T, Hamel JC, Fritzler MJ, Chan EK. GW bodies, microRNAs and the cell cycle. Cell Cycle. 2006 Feb, 5(3):242-5.
- Jakymiw A, Lian S, Eystathioy T, Li S, Satoh M, Hamel JC, Fritzler MJ, Chan EK. Disruption of GW bodies impairs mammalian RNA interference. Nat Cell Biol. 2005 Dec, 7(12):1267-74.
- Yang Z, Jakymiw A, Wood MR, Eystathioy T, Rubin RL, Fritzler MJ, Chan EK. GW182 is critical for the stability of GW bodies expressed during the cell cycle and cell proliferation. J Cell Sci. 2004 Nov 1, 117(Pt 23):5567-78.
- Eystathioy T, Jakymiw A, Chan EK, Séraphin B, Cougot N, Fritzler MJ. The GW182 protein colocalizes with mRNA degradation associated proteins hDcp1 and hLSm4 in cytoplasmic GW bodies. RNA. 2003 Oct, 9(10):1171-3.
