Sean Ryder

Sean Ryder is a Professor at UMass Chan Medical School in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology. His research program investigates post-transcriptional gene regulation mechanisms using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model system, focusing on RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) that control embryogenesis, germline development, and cellular differentiation. Key research areas include:

• Maternal mRNA regulation during temperature stress
• Structural and biochemical characterization of RNA-protein interactions
• CRISPR-based genetic analysis of 3'UTR function
• High-throughput screening for RBP inhibitors

The Ryder Lab employs multidisciplinary approaches including quantitative biochemistry, structural biology (NMR, biophysics), genome editing (CRISPR-Cas9), RNA-seq, and live imaging. Research has revealed fundamental mechanisms of RBP specificity, including allosteric regulation by metabolites and disorder-to-order transitions mediating RNA binding.

Dr. Ryder has made significant contributions to understanding temperature-dependent reproductive robustness, microdeletion phenotype expression, and SARS-CoV-2 genome evolution. He maintains extensive collaborations through secondary appointments in the RNA Therapeutics Institute, NeuroNexus Institute, and multiple graduate programs.