My research focuses on mirco-RNA. Micro-RNA are small single stranded RNAs ranging from 20-27 nucleotides. Previous work has determined that miRNA is involved in gene regulation within cells, making these RNAs potentially good targets for studying diseases and their possible treatments.



Type II diabetes has become a serious health concern that affects many people on a global scale. The serious symptoms of the disease come from an inability to produce or respond to insulin produced by the pancreas. By understanding the genetic regulation involved in insulin production, potential treatment targets can be exposed and future treatments for diabetes patients can be developed.



My work involves a specific micro-RNA, miR-375, proven to be involved in the insulin production pathway. Research has shown a that miR-375 blocks the release of insulin from beta cells. This means that by blocking the transcription of miR-375, the amount of insulin released can hopefully be increased. I am working to verify that the protein ICER does bind to miR-375 and to show that levels of ICER within the cells correlates with miR-375 levels.

 ​Rhiannon Guzman