Stephen Frenk

Small RNA-mediated genomic silencing promotes telomere stability in the absence of telomerase in C. elegans

The paper shows that small RNA-mediated genomic silencing maintains telomere stability in C. elegans without telomerase by promoting heterochromatin formation and subtelomeric small RNA biogenesis.

DAF-16/Foxo suppresses the transgenerational sterility of prg-1 piRNA mutants via a systemic small RNA pathway

Piwi mutant germ cells transmit a form of heritable stress that promotes longevity

The paper shows that prg-1 mutant C. elegans germ cells transmit heritable stress that promotes longevity but reduces fertility, with effects observed in F1 progeny.

RTEL-1 and DNA polymerase theta promote subtelomeric DNA synthesis and telomere fusion in C. elegans

The paper investigates the roles of RTEL-1 and DNA polymerase theta in subtelomeric DNA synthesis and telomere fusion in C. elegans, finding they promote these processes through distinct mechanisms.

A reproductive arrest program triggered by defects in Piwi and germ granules

The paper shows that defects in Piwi and germ granules in C. elegans lead to reproductive arrest through altered germ granules, not transposon activation, causing sterility.

Telomeric small RNAs in the genus Caenorhabditis

The paper identifies telomeric small RNAs in Caenorhabditis species, showing that mismatched variants mostly originate from ITSs while perfect repeats are rare in C. elegans but abundant in C. briggsae and C. remanei.