Vicens Lab - University of Houston
Skip to main content

Center for Nuclear Receptors and Cell Signaling

People

Vicens Lab

Quentin Vicens

Assistant Professor
Department of Biology and Biochemistry
Research Division: Biochemistry (Primary)

Office: Science & Engineering Research Center (SERC), 4021
Lab: SERC, W4010
Contact: qvicens@uh.edu - 713-743-2696

Education: Sc.D., University of Strasbourg, France (2015); Ph.D., University of Strasbourg, France (2002); B.Sc., University of Strasbourg, France (1997)

RNA shapes in three dimensions influence RNA functions. We explore this relationship in the context of messenger RNA and how its function is modulated by proteins, small molecules and chemical modifications. We use approaches from biochemistry, molecular and cell biology, sequencing and bioinformatics. Our focus areas are Z-RNA biology, RNA structure determination & prediction, and targeted gene integration.

Recent News

Quentin Vicens

Quentin Vicens, Sc.D.
Assistant Professor

Department of Biology and Biochemistry
University of Houston
Houston, Texas 77204-5001

Office: SERC, 4021
Phone: 713-743-2696
qvicens@uh.edu

Chrysa Latrick

Chrysa Latrick, Ph.D.
Research Assistant Professor

Department of Biology and Biochemistry
University of Houston
Houston, Texas 77204-5001

Office: SERC, 4022
Phone: 713-743-9782
cmlatrick@uh.edu

Courtney Le

Courtney Le
Researcher 1 Nat Phys Science

lnbui4@cougarnet.uh.edu

Gabriel Galvez

Gabriel Galvez
Computer assistant

ggalvez@cougarnet.uh.edu

Mary Adesina

Mary Adesina
Graduate Student, Cell and Molecular Biology

miadesin@cougarnet.uh.edu

Cameron Ptak

Cameron Ptak
Undergraduate Student, Biology, SURF awardee (2024)

cdptak@cougarnet.uh.edu

Fartun Yussuf

Fartun Yussuf
Undergraduate Student, Biology, PURS awardee (2024)

fdyussuf@cougarnet.uh.edu

Z-RNA biology

  • Nichols PJ, Welty R, Krall JB, Henen MA, Vicens Q, Vögeli B. Zα Domain of ADAR1 Binds to an A-Form-like Nucleic Acid Duplex with Low Micromolar Affinity. Biochemistry. 2024 Mar 19;63(6):777-787. doi: 10.1021/acs.biochem.3c00636. Epub 2024 Mar 4. PMID: 38437710.
  • Nichols PJ, Krall JB, Henen MA, Welty R, Macfadden A, Vicens Q*, Vögeli B. Z-Form Adoption of Nucleic Acid is a Multi-Step Process Which Proceeds through a Melted Intermediate. J Am Chem Soc. 2024 Jan 10;146(1):677-694. doi: 10.1021/jacs.3c10406. Epub 2023 Dec 22. PMID: 38131335.
  • Langeberg CJ, Nichols PJ, Henen MA, Vicens Q*, Vögeli B. Differential Structural Features of Two Mutant ADAR1p150 Zα Domains Associated with Aicardi-Goutières Syndrome. J Mol Biol. 2023 Apr 15;435(8):168040. doi: 10.1016/j.jmb.2023.168040. Epub 2023 Mar 7. PMID: 36889460; PMCID: PMC10109538.
  • Nichols PJ, Krall JB, Henen MA, Vögeli B, Vicens Q*. Z-RNA biology: a central role in the innate immune response? RNA. 2023 Mar;29(3):273-281. doi: 10.1261/rna.079429.122. Epub 2023 Jan 3. PMID: 36596670; PMCID: PMC9945438.

RNA structure determination & prediction

  • Bonilla SL, Vicens Q, Kieft JS. Cryo-EM reveals an entangled kinetic trap in the folding of a catalytic RNA. Sci Adv. 2022 Aug 26;8(34):eabq4144. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.abq4144. Epub 2022 Aug 26. PMID: 36026457; PMCID: PMC9417180.
  • Vicens Q*, Kieft JS. Thoughts on how to think (and talk) about RNA structure. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2022 Apr 26;119(17):e2112677119. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2112677119. Epub 2022 Apr 19. PMID: 35439059; PMCID: PMC9169933.
  • Steckelberg AL, Vicens Q, Costantino DA, Nix JC, Kieft JS. The crystal structure of a Polerovirus exoribonuclease-resistant RNA shows how diverse sequences are integrated into a conserved fold. RNA. 2020 Dec;26(12):1767-1776. doi: 10.1261/rna.076224.120. Epub 2020 Aug 26. PMID: 32848042; PMCID: PMC7668246.

Additional publications featured on Dr. Vicens’ Google Scholar profile.

Honors & Awards

Organizations, Outreach, Boards, Memberships