Figure 1.

Systematic perturbations to understand RNA regulation. (A) The transfer of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein is controlled by many molecular processes that regulate RNA. New sequencing technologies have allowed us to map some of these processes at genome-wide scale, but functional characterization has lagged. (B) Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) perturbations at the level of DNA or RNA will help to test the functions of RNA regulatory mechanisms. (C) Combining technologies for observation and perturbation will allow us to build models of cell circuits and understand how different components (DNA and RNA regulatory elements, DNA- and RNA-binding proteins, and posttranscriptional modifications) are integrated to control cellular functions.