Premise: DNA in eukaryotic cells exists as a complex with proteins named chromatin. The basic structural unit of chromatin is the nucleosme. Nucleosomes residing on promoters of genes prevent formation of transcription initiation complex thus inhibiting gene expression.
Our research interests revolve around the
following fundamental questions:
1. How do transcription factors turn genes on and off in context of
chromatin?
2. What happens with nucleosomes during transcription initiation?
3. If nucleosomes are removed from promoters, what is the mechanism?
What are the enzymatic activities?
4. What coactivators are recruited? What is the mechanism of recruitment
of coactivators?
5. How do activation domains of gene specific transcription factors work?
Why is it important? It is common knowledge nowadays that almost every medical condition can be traced to the malfunction of a gene or a set of genes. In our lab we are trying to understand how genes are turned on and off. This knowledge will be applied to better understand how medical conditions arise and what can be done to prevent them, as well as identifying specific genes and how they can be affected to treat these illnesses.
Experimental object - bakers yeast (S. cerevisiae). All eukaryotes (human and yeast included) have similar chromatin structure and gene expression machinery. Besides smelling good (like beer or bread), yeasts are easy to manipulate genetically and biochemically. Here you can find more detailed information on yeast.
Model system - Heat shock genes are a great system because they are easily turned on and off by changing temperature. These genes also display very robust displacement of nucleosomes from promoters upon heat shock.
Our lab employs undergraduate and graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows from the Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, as well as the Departments of Chemistry and Biology. We have a friendly atmosphere and our work environment is comfortable and cozy. We employ modern techniques such as Real-Time PCR, Mass-spec analysis, Chromatin Immunoprecipitaion, different types of mutagenesis, and other Molecular Biology techniques. Our students learn these valuable methods and become very efficient when it comes to performance in their studies continuing education and moving on to their job appointments. We always welcome new students who wish to come and learn in our lab.
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Before Initiation |
After Initiation |
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S. cerevisiae |