Our group identified and determined the cellular location of one of the proteins, HYL1, involved in miRNA precursor processing in Arabidopsis. We later established the first in vitro plant microRNA precursor processing system and identified structural features of RNA precursors critical for correct processing. We are currently engaged in characterizing the protein-protein and protein-RNA interactions involved in miRNA precursor processing using highly purified proteins. These experiments are done in collaboration with Dr. Samir Hamdan.