Chromatin Biology and Epigenetics

The overall aim of the Chromatin Laboratory is to understand how mammalian genes are switched on and off during differentiation to control cell fate and to specify different lineages, but also how genes are abnormally regulated in genetic diseases such as cancer.

More specifically, we aim to understand the role of enhancers in this process, using haematopoiesis as a model system. Our research program funded by The Kay Kendall Leukaemia Fund (KKLF), in collaboration with Professor Kamil Kranc is to address the precise functions of epigenetic regulators removing polycomb repressive complexes (PRC1 and PRC2) in myeloid leukaemia using in vitro, ex-vivo and in vivo models. Together with additional screening in patients for mutations in this gene, this research will enable us to develop new approaches to treat leukaemia.