Rate My Professor Ross Buchan

The Buchan laboratory investigates RNA biology and proteostasis using yeast genetics, human cell lines, and genetic, cell biological, and biochemical methods. Research centers on the dynamics, composition, function, and clearance mechanisms of mRNA-protein foci such as P-bodies and stress granules, which regulate translational control, mRNA decay, localization, and stress responses. Current projects explore autophagy and endocytic pathways in stress granule clearance, TDP-43 turnover in ALS pathology, and mRNA 3’UTR scaffolding of protein interactions. Key publications include “Eukaryotic stress granules: the ins and outs of translation” (Molecular Cell, 2009), “Eukaryotic stress granules are cleared by autophagy and Cdc48/VCP function” (Cell, 2013), “P bodies promote stress granule assembly in Saccharomyces cerevisiae” (Journal of Cell Biology, 2008), “Endocytosis regulates TDP-43 toxicity and turnover” (Nature Communications, 2017), and “mRNP granules. Assembly, function, and connections with disease” (RNA Biology, 2014). His contributions have elucidated mRNP cycles influencing gene expression and disease mechanisms. The lab includes a postdoctoral researcher, an assistant staff scientist, four graduate students, and four undergraduates.