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

Our laboratory is interested in understanding mechanisms of gene regulation governing a subset of imprinted genes that have arisen by retrotransposition from the X chromosome. We are exploring how DNA methylation influences transcription and alternative polyadenylation at these imprinted retrogenes, thereby contributing to transcript diversity in the mammalian genome.

We are interested in understanding the correlation between the misplacement or misinterpretation of epigenetic marks and human disease. We are taking genome-wide approaches with the goal of enabling reliable detection of epimutations that result in disease. We are also using genome wide approaches to understand the epigenetic components involved in differentiation processes. Specifically we are dissecting differences in DNA methylation and histone modifications between endocardial and endothelial cells in early heart development.