Epigenetic gene regulation and chromatin insulator elements

We study how epigenetic processes are employed to regulate genome organization and gene transcription in vertebrates. Much of our work focuses on the functions and mechanisms of DNA sequence elements known as chromatin insulators or barriers. We employ a variety of molecular, biochemical and genetic techniques to determine how insulator proteins control histone modification and DNA methylation patterns. We are also employing whole genome technologies to determine how many insulators there are, what features they share in common, and what functions they have in gene regulation and genome organization. See our Research Overview page for background and further details of our findings to date.

Current projects include:

• Control of DNA methylation by VEZF1
• Genome organization by insulator elements
• Histone modifications at chromatin boundary elements
• Genome engineering