Jane E. Jackman

Jane Jackman is a Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at The Ohio State University and is also currently the Vice Chair for Undergraduate Studies for her department. Her lab uses principles and techniques of mechanistic enzymology and enzyme kinetics to study the molecular mechanisms of tRNA processing enzymes. Current projects in her lab focuses on tRNA modifications in zebrafish (in collaboration with Graeme Conn at Emory, Lindsay Comstock at Wake Forest, Sharon Amacher at Ohio State and Todd Lowe at UCSC) and new applications of 3′-5′ RNA polymerases, including their use as a labeling tool on any RNA of interest. Prof. Jackman also serves on the Editorial Advisory Board for the RNA Society’s journal, RNA.

Jackman was hooked on the wonderful world of tRNA during her postdoc at the University of Rochester in the lab of Prof. Eric Phizicky, who also serves as a Senior Editor for the journal RNA. When she began her postdoc, the lab had just published a very exciting method (along with Professors Elizabeth Grayhack and Stanley Fields) to discover new enzymes in yeast. Prof. Jackman says, “I already had a deep love for enzymology, and this seemed like the perfect tool to use to discover interesting new enzymes”. Since then, she continues to think that there are amazing questions of specificity and activity that are still unanswered, such as, how enzymes can discern their correct targets in a sea of similar-looking RNA molecules. 

The time that Prof. Jackman spent in the Phizicky Lab was also critical in the way she does science and writes her papers. “He instilled in me the idea that it is critical to take the time to make sure that you are submitting the best possible version of your work… because this is how people who have never had the chance to meet you will get to know you”. She is quick to point out that this advice can lead to excessive scrutiny and rewriting but she is proud of the work and hopes that she has maintained the same standards in her lab.

“Try to resist the idea that everyone is doing more/better/faster than you are, and to find the way that works for you even if it means challenging expectations and facing your own doubts. And then don’t worry about it when it all changes, and you need to do something entirely different the next week/month/year!” 

Her lab’s recent article (Patel et al., RNA 2021, 27:683-693) explores the kinetic similarities between 3'-5' polymerases and 5'-3' polymerases in the way they select and add nucleotides to an RNA. She explained, “ 3'-5' polymerases were the first, and so far only, RNA polymerases that synthesize RNA in the 3'-5' direction, which is opposite to the direction of all other known RNA and DNA polymerases. The kinetic understanding of the mechanism of base pair selection for the 3'-5' polymerases raises some really interesting questions about the evolution of polymerase activities that were needed for life itself. I love this paper as [both] an enzymologist and RNA biochemist”.

During her career, Prof. Jackman had to figure out how to parent two kids and be a scientist during her postdoc and early assistant professor years. She remembers it as one of the hardest things that she has ever navigated. While she may not have the answer to this challenge that many researchers face, she recommended “try to resist the idea that everyone is doing more/better/faster than you are, and to find the way that works for you even if it means challenging expectations and facing your own doubts. And then don’t worry about it when it all changes, and you need to do something entirely different the next week/month/year!” 

Prof. Jackman’s advice to future scientists includes being open to change and taking the time to meet people who can help you along the way. Some of the most fun ideas and research projects she has had the opportunity to work on occurred through unexpected conversations with peers and mentors. Prof. Jackman believes that one of the important advantages of being a member of the RNA Society is the annual meeting, which is a welcoming and supportive place with outstanding science. “... the parties at the end of the RNA meeting have had so many memorable and fun moments over the years. Seeing people of all RNA generations interact and have a great time is one of the things that makes our community great”, pointed out Prof. Jackman.

You can find Prof. Jackman on Twitter, LinkedIn, or her lab website to discuss her favorite RNA which are the tRNAs. As a true RNA scientist, she finds it hard to choose one tRNA “as her favorite” as she feels it is similar to asking a parent to pick their favorite child!