Samuel I. Gunderson

Samuel I. Gunderson serves as an Associate Professor and Undergraduate Director in the Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry at Rutgers University's School of Arts and Sciences, Division of Life Sciences. His laboratory is housed in Nelson Laboratories where he conducts research on RNA processing mechanisms in human cells.

• Position: Associate Professor & Undergraduate Director
• Institution: Rutgers University, The State University of New Jersey
• Department: Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
• Facility: Nelson Laboratories, Room A320
• Contact: gunderson@dls.rutgers.edu | (848) 445-1016

Dr. Gunderson's research focuses on posttranscriptional gene expression mechanisms in mammalian systems, with particular emphasis on pre-mRNA splicing and polyadenylation, RNA-protein interactions, and their implications for cancer biology and neurological diseases. His work bridges molecular biology, biochemistry, and bioinformatics approaches to understand how alternative RNA processing generates protein diversity from single transcription events. His laboratory employs biochemical, bioinformatic, and reconstitution analysis coupled with studies in tissue culture cells to identify both cis-acting RNA sequence elements and trans-acting protein factors involved in regulated pre-mRNA processing.

Analysis of Dr. Gunderson's publication record reveals a consistent research trajectory focused on RNA processing mechanisms over two decades. His work spans fundamental biochemistry of RNA-protein interactions to translational applications in cancer therapeutics, particularly through the development of U1 adaptor technology for targeted gene silencing. The publications demonstrate expertise spanning computational modeling of polyadenylation sites, structural analysis of splicing factors, and therapeutic applications targeting oncogenic pathways.

Dr. Gunderson leads research activities within the Division of Life Sciences at Rutgers University, where his laboratory in Nelson Laboratories focuses on understanding the basic machinery of pre-mRNA processing in the nucleus. His work combines biochemical analysis with bioinformatics approaches to investigate how RNA processing mechanisms can be harnessed for therapeutic applications, particularly in cancer treatment. The laboratory utilizes various research organisms including bacteria, cell lines, in vitro systems, and mice to investigate fundamental mechanisms of RNA processing and their dysregulation in disease.