Our research program is primarily centered on understanding the mechanisms of protein synthesis. Translation of a single protein from its nucleic acid precursor requires dozens of cellular components. Amino acids are assembled into polypeptides at the ribosome, a large ribonucleoprotein complex where the genetic message is decoded. Individual proteins play essential roles in maintaining the accuracy of translation. The aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases attach amino acids to transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules, thereby establishing the genetic code that dictates which amino acid matches which trinucleotide codon. Other protein factors facilitate the three steps of translation: initiation, elongation, and termination.