Craig A. Smibert

Craig A. Smibert is a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Toronto, specializing in post-transcriptional gene regulation mechanisms. His research focuses on RNA-binding proteins and regulatory RNAs that control mRNA translation, stability, and subcellular localization in the cytoplasm, primarily using Drosophila melanogaster embryos as a model system. He has developed innovative synthetic antibody techniques for genome-wide analysis of RNA-protein interactions.

Research Interests

• Post-transcriptional control in early Drosophila embryos
• Molecular mechanisms of Smaug RNA-binding protein
• RNA-binding protein networks and the 'ribonome'
• Translational repression and mRNA degradation pathways
• High-throughput synthetic antibody production

Publications Trends

His recent work analyzes RNA-binding protein function across developmental systems, emphasizing genome-wide approaches to understand both specific regulatory pathways (like Smaug-nanos interactions) and broader patterns of post-transcriptional control. Research spans molecular genetics, structural biology, and computational analysis of regulatory networks.

Labs & Collaborations

Smibert leads a research lab that combines biochemical, genetic, and computational approaches to studying cytoplasmic gene regulation. His team's work on synthetic antibody production for RNA-binding proteins has created resources for systematic analysis of the early Drosophila ribonome.