Gene expression is a fundamental biological process that determines how genetic information is translated into functional proteins, yet it is inherently complex and variable across cells. This work explores how gene expression is shaped by the dynamic properties of messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and by the behavior of ribosomes, the molecular machines responsible for protein synthesis. By using simplified and controlled experimental systems, it reveals that key mRNA features can independently influence protein production and mRNA stability, allowing cells to fine-tune protein levels and fluctuations. In addition, this study introduces a new approach for visualizing ribosomes in living cells, enabling direct observation of their movement and organization. Analysis of ribosome dynamics uncovers links between ribosomal behavior, translation efficiency, and variability in protein expression between individual cells. Together, these findings provide new insight into how molecular dynamics at multiple levels contribute to the regulation and variability of gene expression, and offer new tools for studying the origins of biological noise.
Carmen Grandi was born on the 25th of August 1996, in Ferrara, Italy. She received her bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology in 2018, and her master’s degree in Molecular Biology in 2020 from the University of Ferrara. After completing her master, she moved to The Netherlands to start her PhD at Radboud University, in the group of Dr. Maike Hansen.