Regulation of Transcriptional Repression by Chromatin Modifiers

We are interested in characterizing and understanding the processes regulating transcriptional repression and heterochromatin formation. Using a combination of cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), mass spectrometry and biochemistry, we are looking at the interactions of chromatin modifiers and transcription factors with chromatin. In parallel, we are also visualizing the in situ chromosome architecture and higher order chromatin structures using a combination of cryo-focused ion beam milling (cryo-FIB) and cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET).

  • RNA mediated PRC2 dimerization published in Science! Read it here.

  • Both second year students Mark and Jess pass their PhD candidacy exams!

  • New preprint on RNA mediated PRC2 dimerization. Read it here.

  • The lab welcomes biochemistry rotation student Aubrey Wolfe!

 
Family of protein complexes involved in chromatin organization

How do chromatin modifier complexes facilitate heterochromatin formation?

 
Model of synaptonemal complex from super-resolution microscopy imaging

How do homologous chromosomes recognize and pair with each other?

 

Image Credit: Abby Dernberg Lab, UC Berkeley