The "Dark Matter" of our genome constitutes the vast spaces between the genes that encode for proteins- it was once mistakenly thought as being "junk DNA." The McManus lab now knows that these seemingly empty spaces contain thousands of hidden genes, most of which do not appear to make proteins, but instead noncoding RNAs of unknown function. The lab is focused on this exciting class of genes, with the hope of better illuminating its functions and mechanisms in eukaryotic gene regulation- and its relationship to human disease. The McManus lab has developed cutting-edge research tools- employing high-throughput genome-wide RNAi screens, deep sequencing, and even mouse models to establish the biological importance of this Dark Matter substance.