Kasuen Kotagama

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About

Kasuen Kotagama is a molecular biology researcher whose work centers on RNA biology, gene regulation, and the functional characterization of microRNAs (miRNAs). Kotagama's most recognized contribution lies in the development and application of the 3'LIFE (Luminescent Identification of Functional Elements in 3'UTRs) assay, a high-throughput method designed to rapidly identify miRNA targets across hundreds of 3' untranslated regions (3'UTRs) simultaneously. This innovative approach leverages the dual-luciferase assay system to detect miRNA-mRNA interactions at the translational level, significantly accelerating the pace at which researchers can map the regulatory networks governed by specific miRNAs. Prior to 3'LIFE, identifying miRNA targets was a labor-intensive process, and Kotagama's methodology represents a meaningful advancement in the field's experimental toolkit. With citations accumulating across multiple publications of this work since 2015, Kotagama has contributed a practical and reproducible platform that continues to support researchers investigating post-transcriptional gene regulation. This work holds broad relevance for studies of development, disease, and cellular homeostasis, where miRNA-mediated regulation plays a critical role.