Establishment of a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) cell type enrichment atlas with a focus on endothelial enriched lncRNA function

Messenger RNA (mRNA) acts as a template to produce proteins, which are essential building blocks for all cells in the body. Non-coding RNA (ncRNA) is another type of RNA, but unlike mRNA, it doesn't produce proteins. Instead, ncRNAs play crucial roles in regulating various cell functions, both in normal conditions and in the development of diseases. Each type of cell in the body has a specific function, which is determined by the particular RNAs produced in that cell. While we know a lot about mRNAs that create proteins, identifying ncRNAs that are unique to each cell type has been more challenging. In this project, we aim to address this by using a new analysis method we have developed to discover which ncRNAs are found in different types of cells. This information is vital for understanding the potential functions of ncRNAs in the body. Next, we will focus on ncRNAs that we have identified as being mostly active in endothelial cells. These cells form the inner lining of blood vessels and play important roles in controlling blood flow and responding to infection or injury. When endothelial cells don't function properly, it can lead to cardiovascular diseases. The ncRNAs that are mainly expressed in these cells are likely to play an important role in how they function. We will investigate this by using laboratory-made blood vessel models and studying how endothelial cells behave when these ncRNAs are blocked from working. Through this research, we hope to gain new insights into the role of ncRNAs in endothelial cell function and how they may contribute to cardiovascular disease development.

Messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) is a molecule that helps to make proteins, which are the building blocks of all cells. Non-coding RNA (ncRNA) is a type of RNA that doesn't make proteins but has other roles in the cell. Recent research has shown that a type of ncRNA called long ncRNA (lncRNA) can be involved in many diverse cellular processes, including in growth and differentiation, as well as in disease development. Different types of cells in our body have different jobs, which are controlled by specific genes that are only turned on in that type of cell. While we know a lot about the genes that make proteins, it's harder to identify the lncRNAs that are specific to each cell type. In this project, we will use an analysis method we developed to discover which lncRNAs are selectively expressed in different cell types. This information is important because it can help us understand the possible functions and role of lncRNAs in the body. In the next part of the project, we will focus on lncRNAs that we identified as mainly expressed in endothelial cells. These cells, which line the inside of blood vessels, play an important role in controlling blood flow and inflammation. If they do not work properly, it can lead to cardiovascular disease. lncRNAs that are mainly expressed in endothelial cells are likely to have an important role in their function; we will investigate this by studying how the cells behave when we stop the lncRNAs from working, using model blood vessels that we make in the laboratory. Through this work, we can learn more about lncRNAs in endothelial cell function and how they might be involved in the development of cardiovascular diseases.