Jared Schrader
Associate Professor
313-577-0736
Biological Sciences Building Room 2119
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Department
Biological SciencesJared Schrader
Research interest(s)/area of expertise
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Molecular systems biology
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mRNA translation and decay
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Genome-wide high-throughput methods in bacteria
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Host-pathogen interactions
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Chemical biology
Research
Sub-cellular organization of mRNA decay in bacteria
In eukaryotic cells, mRNA decay is often organized in ribonucleoprotein granules like RNA processing-bodies or stress granules. We found that bacteria can also make similar ribonucleoprotein granules that we termed bacterial ribonucleoprotein bodies (BR-bodies) composed of Ribonuclease E, protein components of the RNA degradosome, and RNA. These BR-bodies appear to be important for mRNA degradation and are assembled by liquid-liquid phase separation from the cytoplasm forming a compartment with high concentrations of the RNA degradosome and RNA. Here were's currently utilizing high-throughput mRNA decay assays and cell biology experiments to probe the role of these granules in mRNA decay.
Role of BR-bodies in host colonization
BR-bodies promote rapid mRNA decay which allows bacteria to quickly adapt their transcriptomes to their changing environments. We are investigation how BR-bodies impact host colonization, as Tn-insertion mutants in various species have shown a reduction in fitness during host colonization. We are currently characterizing which species BR-bodies play a role in host colonization, and also by which molecular mechanisms they use to promote host colonization.
Mechanisms of non-Shine-Dalgarno translation initiation
The mechanism of translation initiation in bacteria was first examined in E. coli, where the presence of a Shine-Dalgarno site preceding the start codon leads to the initiation of translation in the proper reading frame. Now with thousands of sequenced bacterial genomes it was discovered that less than 1/2 of all bacterial protein coding genes are preceded by a Shine-Dalgarno site. Additionally, individual bacterial species including many cyanobacteria and bacteroidetes, lack Shine-Dalgarno sites in nearly 90% of their genes! We are therefore investigating the mechanisms of non-Shine-Dalgarno initiation by utilizing Caulobacter crescentus. Caulobacter contains Shine-Dalgarno sites in only 23.5% of its genes, has a doubling time of less than 2 hours, has well established genetic tools, and has a well annotated transcriptome. We are currently utilizing ribosome profiling, translation reporters, and in vitro reconstituted translation initiation assays to dissect the factors required for non-Shine-Dalgarno initiation.
Currently accepting new PhD students
Education
- Postdoctoral Fellowship, Stanford University 2011-2015
- Ph.D. Biophysical Chemistry, Northwestern University 2011
- B.S. Microbiology, Colorado State University 2005
Awards and grants
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WSU Career Chair Award, 2023
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Junior Faculty Award, WSU Academy of Scholars, 2018
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NIH NIGMS MIRA Award R35GM124733, 2017-2027
Selected publications
Al-Husini, N., D. T. Tomares, Z. Pfaffenberger, N. S. Muthunayake, M. A. Samad, T. Zuo, O. Bitar, J. R. Aretakis, M.-H. M. Bharmal, A. Gega, J. S. Biteen, W. S. Childers and J. M. Schrader. BR-bodies provide selectively permeable condensates that stimulate mRNA decay and prevent release of decay intermediates. Molecular Cell 2020.
Al-Husini, N., Tomares, D.T., Bitar, O., Childers, W.S., Schrader, J.M. α-proteobacterial RNA degradosomes assemble liquid-liquid phase separated RNP bodies. Molecular Cell, 2018.
Other qualifications directly relevant to courses taught
Board Member - Michigan Branch of the American Society of Microbiology
Member of the WSU Institutional Biosafety Committee
Citation index
Courses taught by Jared Schrader
Fall Term 2024 (future)
- BIO6510 - Molecular Interactions
- BIO7520 - Nucleic Acid Laboratory
- MGG7015 - Introduction to Genetics
Fall Term 2023
Winter Term 2023
Fall Term 2022
- BIO6510 - Molecular Interactions
- BIO7520 - Nucleic Acid Laboratory
- MGG7015 - Introduction to Genetics