Javier Caceres

Professor Javier Caceres is a Principal Investigator at the MRC Human Genetics Unit and holds a Personal Chair in RNA and Gene Expression at the School of Molecular & Clinical Medicine, University of Edinburgh. His research focuses on post-transcriptional gene regulation through RNA processing mechanisms such as alternative splicing, nonsense-mediated decay (NMD), and microRNA (miRNA) biogenesis.

His laboratory investigates how RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) coordinate gene expression from splicing to translation, with emphasis on the role of transcription elongation rates in splicing accuracy and the discovery of localized NMD pathways at the endoplasmic reticulum. These mechanisms are linked to human diseases including cancer and genetic disorders.

Recent publications highlight his work on RNA helicase DHX34’s dual role in splicing and NMD, SRSF1 transport in cilia function, and genetic variation’s impact on miRNA processing. These studies integrate biochemistry, structural biology, and molecular genetics to dissect RNA regulatory networks.

Scientific awards and recognitions include:

• Election to EMBO (2008)
• Fellowship at the Royal Society of Edinburgh (2011)
• Membership in the Latin American Academy of Sciences (2021)

Current projects funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC) extend from 2023 to 2028, building on prior work in RNA biology and disease mechanisms.