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

Research in the Chromatin Biochemistry Group aims to understand how epigenetic information stored in histone and DNA modification signatures that specify functional chromatin elements is translated into biological signals. We employ methods from chemical biology, biochemistry and proteomics, in conjunction with tissue culture and genomic technologies, to study proteins that recognise DNA and histone modification patterns in the context of chromatin. We focus on identifying new factors that integrate information contained in combinations of chromatin modifications on nucleosomes using SILAC-linked nucleosome affinity purifications, and on understanding how these factors operate at the molecular level. We have a particular interest in molecular mechanisms involved in the epigenetic regulation of chromatin during DNA replication and in events that disrupt chromatin integrity during tumour formation.

Lab Members involved in projects related to EpiGeneSys research objectives:

• Julie Borgel (post-doctoral researcher)
• Anne Mirabella (PhD student)