Projects per year
Personal profile
Biography
We want to understand how gene regulatory pathways control animal development. There are currently more than 150 diverse chemical modifications found on RNA. RNA modifications affect gene expression by regulating RNA processing, stability and expression. We are using the C. elegans germline development as a model system to study the role of RNA modifications in germ cell proliferation and differentiation.
We aim to
- develop new methodologies to identify modified RNAs
- characterise the biological role of RNA modifying enzymes
- study the interactions between cellular metabolism and RNA modifications
Our research is currently supported by a prestigious UK Research and Innovation Future Leaders Fellowship (UKRI-FLF).
Career
2020 - ....... UKRI Future Leaders Fellow / Principal Investigator, University of East Anglia
2012 - 2019 Postdoctoral researcher, Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge
2007 - 2012 PhD in Life Sciences, University of Dundee
2005 - 2007 MSc in Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics, University of Amsterdam, Netherlands
2000 - 2005 BSc in Biology, Middle East Technical University, Turkey
Postgraduate Research Opportunities
Our lab is accepting talented UK and international students for our 2-year MSc by Research degree with no additional bench fee costs. Get in touch to discuss projects.
External positions
UKRI Talent Peer Review College member
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Recent external collaboration on country/territory level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots or
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A Multiwavelength Analytical Centrifuge platform for Solute Characterisation
Clarke, T., Akay, A., Butt, J., Crichton, P., Gates, A., Le Brun, N., Rowley, G., Swainsbury, D. & Hall, A.
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
1/08/24 → 31/07/25
Project: Research
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U6 snRNA m6A modification is required for accurate and efficient splicing of C. elegans and human pre-mRNAs
Shen, A., Hencel, K., Parker, M. T., Scott, R., Skukan, R., Adesina, A. S., Metheringham, C. L., Miska, E. A., Nam, Y., Haerty, W., Simpson, G. G. & Akay, A., 27 Aug 2024, In: Nucleic Acids Research. 52, 15, p. 9139–9160 22 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Citation (Scopus) -
The RNA polymerase II subunit RPB-9 recruits the integrator complex to terminate Caenorhabditis elegans piRNA transcription
Berkyurek, A. C., Furlan, G., Lampersberger, L., Beltran, T., Weick, E-M., Nischwitz, E., Cunha Navarro, I., Braukmann, F., Akay, A., Price, J., Butter, F., Sarkies, P. & Miska, E. A., 1 Mar 2021, In: The EMBO Journal. 40, 5, e105565 .Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile15 Citations (Scopus)24 Downloads (Pure) -
Toward genetic modification of plant-parasitic nematodes: Delivery of macromolecules to adults and expression of exogenous mRNA in second stage juveniles
Kranse, O., Beasley, H., Adams, S., Pires-daSilva, A., Bell, C., Lilley, C. J., Urwin, P. E., Bird, D., Miska, E., Smant, G., Gheysen, G., Jones, J., Viney, M., Abad, P., Maier, T. R., Baum, T. J., Siddique, S., Williamson, V., Akay, A. & Eves-van den Akker, S., Feb 2021, In: G3-Genes Genomes Genetics. 11, 2, jkaa058.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile12 Citations (Scopus)16 Downloads (Pure) -
Translational adaptation to heat stress is mediated by RNA 5‐methylcytosine in Caenorhabditis elegans
Cunha Navarro, I., Tuorto, F., Jordan, D., Legrand, C., Price, J., Braukmann, F., Hendrick, A. G., Akay, A., Kotter, A., Helm, M., Lyko, F. & Miska, E. A., 15 Mar 2021, In: The EMBO Journal. 40, 6, e105496.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile23 Citations (Scopus)22 Downloads (Pure) -
DEPS-1 is required for piRNA-dependent silencing and PIWI condensate organisation in Caenorhabditis elegans
Suen, K. M., Braukmann, F., Butler, R., Bensaddek, D., Akay, A., Lin, C-C., Milonaitytė, D., Doshi, N., Sapetschnig, A., Lamond, A., Ladbury, J. E. & Miska, E. A., 25 Aug 2020, In: Nature Communications. 11, 4242 .Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile12 Citations (Scopus)18 Downloads (Pure)
Activities
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UEA Open Day
Alper Akay (Speaker)
2 Jul 2022Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Open day
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Jennifer Tullet
Alper Akay (Host)
22 Jun 2022Activity: Hosting a visitor › Hosting an academic visitor
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Eaton Primary School visit
Alper Akay (Speaker)
15 Mar 2022Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Schools engagement
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UEA Open Day
Alper Akay (Speaker)
28 Feb 2022Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Open day
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Norwich RNA Club
Alper Akay (Organiser)
2022Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Public lecture/debate/seminar