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

During development multipotent cells are capable either self-renew or differentiate. This process is regulated by interactions between transcription factors, signalling proteins and epigenetic factors. Our group is focused on understanding the role of epigenetic regulators in gene transcription during development. We are studying how the histone modifications are established and the molecular mechanisms by which they regulate neurogenesis using chick embryo neural tube and neural stem cells as models. In particular, we are trying to unravel the role histone methylation/demethylation in neural cell fate determination. Our work will help to understand the molecular basis of chromatin function during the development as well as in pathological processes, helping to identify new therapeutic targets.

Lab members involved:

• Marian Martínez-Balbás PhD (IP)
• Elena Asensio, PhD
• Alejandra García, PhD student
• Raquel Fueyo, PhD student
• Mari Badosa, lab manager