Keith T. Gagnon

Keith T. Gagnon, PhD, is Professor of Biochemistry at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine, having recently moved from Southern Illinois University School of Medicine where he began as Assistant Professor in 2014. He is jointly trained in chemistry and biochemistry, with a PhD in Biochemistry (North Carolina State University, 2007) and post-doctoral training at UT Southwestern Medical Center.

Research Focus:

• Non-coding RNA biology and nuclear function
• Repeat expansion disorders (c9FTD/ALS, Huntington’s disease, spinocerebellar ataxias)
• CRISPR-Cas mechanisms & anti-CRISPR nucleic acids
• RNA-guided enzymes and long non-coding RNAs
• SARS-CoV-2, HIV-1 and HBV RNA genomics and therapeutics

His laboratory integrates in vitro biochemistry, structural biology (crystallography, cryo-EM), high-throughput sequencing, animal models, and nucleic-acid chemistry to dissect RNA structure–function relationships and to develop RNA-based diagnostics and therapeutics.

Scientific Awards & Funding:

• NIH R01, R21, R03, R15, R61 (NIAID)
• OTS Young Investigator Award 2017
• ALS Association Starter Grant & ALSPRP Therapeutic Idea Award (DoD)
• Judith & Jean Pape Adams Charitable Foundation ALS Research Grant

Training & Mentorship: Since 2014, Dr Gagnon has trained >20 graduate students and post-docs, many of whom have secured faculty, industry, or prestigious post-doctoral positions. Current lab members include graduate students Emmanuel Sasu, Lydia Larkai, Zafeiria Nikolaidi, Solomon Punobyin, Ashmita Dhakal, Patrick Brown, Jacob Marrs, Paige Metz, Adam White, and post-doctoral fellows Dr Michael Bosmeny and Dr Christopher Barkau.

Laboratory & Resources: The Gagnon Lab relocated in July 2023 to newly renovated space in Wake Forest University School of Medicine, equipped with state-of-the-art instrumentation for RNA biochemistry, single-molecule biophysics, high-throughput sequencing, and CRISPR engineering.