CONTACT INFORMATIONCREDENTIALSAWARDSPUBLICATIONSClara L. Kielkopf, Ph.D.Contact InformationPhone NumbersOffice: (585) 273-4799Fax: (585) 271-2683Research LabsVisit Lab WebsiteLocationsUniversity of Rochester Medical CenterSchool of Medicine and Dentistry601 Elmwood Ave, Box 712Rochester, NY 14642Additional LinksCenter for RNA BiologyWilmot Cancer InstituteFaculty AppointmentsProfessor - Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics (SMD) BiographyResearchThe Kielkopf lab investigates the molecular structures and interactions among key pre-mRNA splicing factors in human genetic diseases and hematologic malignancies (Trends Genetics 2017). Our recent structures of U2AF2 bound to a range of splice site signals provide a basis for understanding disease-causing mutations in the splice sites of gene transcripts (PNAS 2014; Nature Commun. 2016). As a step towards viewing the architecture of multi-subunit pre-mRNA splicing factor complexes, we revealed phosphorylation-induced conformational changes in the splicing factor subunit SF1 bound to U2AF2, and demonstrated that the phosphorylated interface is essential in vivo (Structure 2013). We have further shown that recurrent, cancer-associated mutations of U2AF1 alter its RNA interactions (Leukemia 2014; PLOS Genetics 2017). Now, our immediate goal is to determine roadmaps of the key interactions among higher order 3' splice site complexes, and in future phases of the project, assist the development of therapeutics targeted at the level of pre-mRNA splicing. We are grateful to the following organizations for research funding: National Institutes of Health: R01 GM070503: Molecular Recognition During pre-mRNA Splicing R01 GM117005: Structural Control of Human Co-factors for Retroviral Gene Expression Edward P. Evans Foundation: Research Discovery Grant: Structural mechanisms & targeting of MDS-relevant pre-mRNA splicing factorsCredentialsEducation1994B.S. | University of Wisconsin-MadisonMolecular Biology (summa cum laude)2000Ph.D. | California Institute of TechnologyBiology and ChemistryPost-doctoral Training & Residency2000 - 2001Post-doctoral Training | The Rockefeller UniversityAwards2020 - 2023Edward P. Evans Foundation Research Award2017 - 2019Edward P. Evans Foundation Research Award2014 - 2016Edward P. Evans Foundation Research Award2009Cover illustration for CSHL mRNA processing meeting abstract book2005Prostate Cancer Foundation Award2004Kimmel Scholar Cancer Research Award2004March of Dimes Basil O'Connor Award2000 - 2002American Cancer Society Postdoctoral fellowship1994 - 1997NSF Pre-Doctoral Fellowship1993Hilldale Fellowship, University of Wisconsin-MadisonVIEW ALL expand_morePublicationsJournal Articles6/30/2022Galardi JW, Bela VN, Jeffery N, He X, Glasser E, Loerch S, Jenkins JL, Pulvino MJ, Boutz PL, Kielkopf CL. "A UHM - ULM interface with unusual structural features contributes to U2AF2 and SF3B1 association for pre-mRNA splicing." The Journal of biological chemistry.. 2022 Jun 30; :102224. Epub 2022 Jun 30. 5/7/2022Glasser E, Maji D, Biancon G, Puthenpeedikakkal AMK, Cavender CE, Tebaldi T, Jenkins JL, Mathews DH, Halene S, Kielkopf CL. "Pre-mRNA splicing factor U2AF2 recognizes distinct conformations of nucleotide variants at the center of the pre-mRNA splice site signal." Nucleic acids research.. 2022 May 7; Epub 2022 May 07. 2/26/2021Chatrikhi R, Feeney CF, Pulvino MJ, Alachouzos G, MacRae AJ, Falls Z, Rai S, Brennessel WW, Jenkins JL, Walter MJ, Graubert TA, Samudrala R, Jurica MS, Frontier AJ, Kielkopf CL. "A synthetic small molecule stalls pre-mRNA splicing by promoting an early-stage U2AF2-RNA complex." Cell chemical biology.. 2021 Feb 26; Epub 2021 Feb 26. VIEW ALL PUBLICATIONSClose WindowSchedule an appointment with Clara L. Kielkopf, Ph.D.Please answer the following questions to help us find the right appointment for you.Important: If you believe that you have a medical or psychiatric emergency, please call 911 or go to the nearest hospital. This website is not intended for emergency care.Have you seen this provider in the last 2 years?YesNoExisting Patient Schedule or request a follow up appointment online through MyChart. If you do not have a MyChart account, please close this window and call the appointment phone number. Clara L. Kielkopf, Ph.D. is currently scheduling for the following appointment type(s): Our policy does not permit patients to establish care with multiple providers within the same practice or specialty without prior approval. If you choose a new provider in the same office, we will cancel the appointment. Please contact the office directly with questions on this policy.