Varvara Verkhova

Research adviser: Konstantin Severinov

Graduated from Lomonosov Moscow State University, Microbiology department.

Thesis title: Mechanisms of CRISPR-interference and target recognition by Type III-A and III-B CRISPR-Cas systems of Thermus thermophilus

CRISPR-Cas systems are highly diverse and, depending on the Type, are capable to interfere against invading DNA and/or RNA. It is known that Type III CRISPR-Cas systems can eliminate both DNA and RNA, yet the detailed mechanisms remain unclear. We are exploring the process of target recognition and destruction by subtype III-A and III-B CRISPR systems from extremely thermophilic bacteria – Thermus thermophilus.