The Lambowitz Lab studies gene expression, RNA splicing, catalytic RNAs, and retroviral genetic elements, including possible ancestors of the AIDS and leukemia viruses. They recently discovered a novel mechanism for site-specific DNA insertion used by autocatalytic group II introns. The nature of this mechanism suggests that group II introns might be used in new approaches for genetic engineering and gene therapy, applicable to a wide variety of diseases.Research interests include: mechanisms of RNA catalysis, how proteins assist formation of RNA structure, mechanisms involved in intron mobility, the evolution of introns and splicing mechanisms, the origin of retroviruses and reverse transcription, and the development of novel methods for functional genomics and gene therapy.