Rate My Professor Fedor Karginov

Fedor Karginov is an Associate Professor in the Department of Molecular, Cell, and Systems Biology at the University of California, Riverside. He joined the university in 2013 as an Assistant Professor of Cell Biology and Neuroscience within the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences. Karginov serves as the Lead Faculty Advisor for the Cell, Molecular, and Developmental Biology undergraduate program and holds a leadership role in the Center for RNA Biology and Medicine at UCR. He is also a cooperating faculty member in the Department of Biochemistry and was recognized as a Hellman Fellow for early-career faculty excellence.

The Karginov Lab investigates the principles and mechanisms governing interactions between RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) and RNA molecules, as well as the downstream cellular and organismal outcomes of these interactions. Research projects encompass the regulatory functions of known and novel mammalian RBPs, explored through knockout and transgenic models, high-throughput sequencing, biochemical assays, and microscopy. A key focus is on combinatorial interactions among RBPs—including those in the microRNA pathway—at mRNA 3' untranslated regions (UTRs), which act as hubs for post-transcriptional regulation; techniques such as CLIP-seq, genetic screening, and reporter assays are employed. Additionally, the lab examines the roles of RBPs and microRNAs in the development of the mosquito Aedes aegypti, utilizing transcriptome-wide profiling and targeted functional studies to address gaps in understanding outside model organisms. Notable publications include 'Analysis of RBP Regulation and Co-regulation of mRNA 3' UTR Regions in a Luciferase Reporter System' (Sternburg and Karginov, Methods Mol Biol, 2021), 'Global Approaches in Studying RNA-Binding Protein Interaction Networks' (Sternburg and Karginov, Trends Biochem Sci, 2020), 'HuR controls apoptosis and activation response without effects on cytokine 3' UTRs' (Karginov, RNA Biol, 2019), 'Antagonistic and cooperative AGO2-PUM interactions in regulating mRNAs' (Sternburg et al., Sci Rep, 2018), 'Transcriptome-wide Identification and Validation of Interactions between the miRNA Machinery and HuR on mRNA Targets' (Li et al., J Mol Biol, 2018), 'Transcriptome-wide microRNA and target dynamics in the fat body during the gonadotrophic cycle of Aedes aegypti' (Zhang et al., PNAS, 2017), and 'Remodeling of Ago2-mRNA interactions upon cellular stress reflects miRNA complementarity and correlates with altered translation rates' (Karginov and Hannon, Genes Dev, 2013). These contributions advance understanding of post-transcriptional gene regulation mechanisms.