An ambitious EC-funded research initiative on epigenetics advancing towards systems biology

Our group is addressing several aspects of the mechanism and regulation of meiotic recombination using the mouse as a model system. Meiotic recombination events are initiated by the formation of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) and we are interested in the controls of the frequency and distribution of these DSBs, and in the coordination between DSB formation and repair.

We have recently discovered a major component that determines the sites where DSBs are formed in mammals: The Prdm9 gene. This gene encodes for a protein with a methyl-transferase activity and a tandem array of C2H2 zinc fingers. How does this protein actually function in vivo and how its activity allows the recruitment of the recombination machinery remains to be determined. In addition, a remarkable property of PRDM9 is its rapid evolution and diversity. We are currently investigating both molecular and evolutionary characteristics of this protein.

• Yukiko Imai, PhD
• Boubou Diagouraga, PhD
• Rajeev Kumar, postdoc
• Benjamin Leblanc, postdoc