Brenda Bass

Brenda Bass is a Distinguished Professor of Biochemistry and an Adjunct Professor of Human Genetics at the University of Utah School of Medicine. Her laboratory investigates the biological roles of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) and the proteins that recognize it, with a focus on innate immunity, RNA helicases, ADARs, and Dicer.

Education:

• B.A., Colorado College
• Ph.D., University of Colorado, Boulder

Research Interests:

The Bass laboratory seeks to understand how cells discriminate between self and non-self dsRNA. Using genome-wide mapping (dsRNAomes) in C. elegans, mouse, and human, her group has revealed that endogenous long dsRNA is primarily encoded within protein-coding genes, especially in introns and 3' UTRs. Comparative studies of invertebrate and vertebrate Dicers illuminate evolutionary divergence in antiviral pathways, while biochemical and structural biology approaches (including cryo-EM) dissect the molecular mechanisms of antiviral complexes.

Publication Trends:

Across 2016–2024, Bass and colleagues have produced high-impact papers that integrate genomics, structural biology, and evolutionary analyses. The work spans dsRNA recognition by helicases, ADAR-mediated RNA editing, ancestral reconstruction of Dicer helicase function, and mapping of edited dsRNAomes in immune cells, collectively advancing the understanding of innate immunity and RNA biology.

Scientific Awards:

The text does not enumerate specific awards; however, the title “Distinguished Professor” reflects institutional recognition of exceptional scholarly achievement.

Advising & Funding:

While individual student names are not listed, the lab trains graduate students from the Molecular Biology and Biological Chemistry Ph.D. programs and hosts postdoctoral fellows. Funding sources are implied by continuous publication, but explicit grant numbers are not provided in the supplied text.

Laboratory & Teams:

The Bass Lab operates within the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Utah and utilizes state-of-the-art core facilities for genomics, structural biology, and bioinformatics. Collaborations extend across the Molecular Biology and Biological Chemistry programs and affiliated research centers.