On the origin and evolution of the genetic code

Lluis Ribas de Pouplana 
IRBB Institute for Research in Biomedicine in Barcelona, Spain

lluis.ribas@irbbarcelona.org

The Genetic Code is the fundamental core of life. Its structure, and the
molecular features of its associated machinery hold essential information
about the origin of species. Our laboratory is focused on the evolution 
and molecular function of central components of the translation machinery.
Through the study of these proteins and RNAs we try to build proposals on the
origin and evolution of the Genetic Code and how it drove the differentiation of extant phyla.

Recent publications:

Rafels-Ybern À, Torres AG, Camacho N, Herencia-Ropero A, Roura Frigolé H, Wulff TF, Raboteg M, Bordons A, Grau-Bove X, Ruiz-Trillo I, Ribas de Pouplana L. (2019) “The expansion of Inosine at the wobble position of tRNAs, and its role in the evolution of proteomes.“ Mol. Biol. Evol.doi: 10.1093/molbev/msy245. 

Saint-Léger A, Bello-Cabrera C, Dans PD, Torres AG, Novoa EM, Camacho N, Orozco M, Kondrashov FA, Ribas de Pouplana L. (2016) “Saturation of recognition elements blocks evolution of new tRNA identities” Science Advances 29;2(4):e1501860.

Novoa EM, Pavon-Eternod M, Pan T, Ribas de Pouplana L. (2012) “A role for tRNA modifications in genome structure and codon usage.” Cell. Vol. 149, no. 1, pp 202-213.