Zhixin Xie, Ph.D.

Research Interests

Research in my laboratory is directed to understand how multiple small RNA pathways operate in plants using genetic, genomic, and biochemical approaches. 

Most eukaryotic organisms possess highly conserved RNA silencing machinery that generates 21- ~ 24-nucleotide small RNAs from double stranded RNA precursors. These small RNAs, which include microRNA (miRNA) and several classes of small interfering RNAs (siRNA), play important roles in regulating gene expression, heterochromatin formation, and defense against invading viruses. The core components of RNA silencing machinery involve several evolutionarily conserved protein families, including DICER (DCR) or DICER-LIKE (DCL), ARGONAUTE (AGO), and, in some cases, RNA-DEPENDENT RNA POLYMERASE (RDR). Interestingly, unlike many animals, plants encode multiple DCL and RDR proteins. Recent genetic studies have revealed multiple small RNA pathways in plants; each requires a distinct set of DCL and RDR factors. Plants, therefore, provide a unique system to study the genetic diversification and functional adaptation of small RNA pathways.