Research output per year
Research output per year
DR
Accepting PhD Students
1. The Chromatin Lab, the Developmental Biology Division and The Roslin Institute.
The new Roslin Institute (launched in 2011) has developed a broad panel of interests, and has a wide portfolio spanning genetics and developmental biology. The Developmental Biology Division aims to enhance fundamental knowledge of the control of cellular growth and differentiation, to underpin the development of better disease intervention strategies. We advance our understanding of function in these essential biological processes through mechanistic studies at the cell, tissue and whole organism level with particular focus on stem cells, tissue and organ development, tissue damage and repair and regulatory networks in development. The regulation of gene expression is at the basis all these biological processes and the mission of the Chromatin Lab is to bring new angles to the institute with our expertise in chromatin 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.
2. Epigenetics and Transcription Regulation.
Epigenetics is the study of the changes in gene expression due to modifications to the genome that do not involve a change in the nucleotide sequence. It is now clear that one form of epigenetic regulation involves the establishment/removal of histone post-translational modifications. These changes are catalysed by a panel of different enzymes (called chromatin-modifying enzymes or epigenetic regulators), which target specific genes for activation or inactivation. The last decade has led to the identification of many of these enzymes, which are required for transcription regulation, cell cycle and differentiation. Today, the field is just beginning to understand the regulation of these enzymes and the biological significance of histone modifications. These enzymes have also generated a clinical interest since drugs can be designed to modulate their activity, which has launched the development of epigenetic therapy.
Remote regulatory sequences (enhancers) have been defined as DNA elements responsible for increasing the transcription level of a target gene, located sometimes very far away. What do these sequences really do and how do they work at very large distances? These have been questions of major interest over the last two decades. Today it is well accepted that remote enhancers function as docking sites for the recruitment of the general transcription machinery, which would be subsequently transferred to a target promoter by a looping mechanism.
Over the last decade, the Encyclopedia of DNA Elements (ENCODE) project aimed to map all functional elements (e.g. enhancers, promoters, coding regions, methylated DNA sequences) in the human genome. The recent “completion” of the ENCODE project (2012) has revealed that there are many more enhancers than expected. Also, genome-wide associated studies (GWAS) showed that many single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), associated with susceptibility/resistance to a disease, have been found outside gene coding sequences emphasizing the importance of enhancers.
Our current research programme is focused on two main aspects of enhancers:
1. Enhancer Activity.
Summary: There is a body of evidence that variation of expression at a single cell basis occurs (subpopulations). This highlights the need for techniques to approach chromatin architecture in single cells, as this would directly capture cell-to-cell variation. We use genetic engineering techniques in order to make models in which we can visualise transcription activity in individual cells.
Funding: Early Stage Investigator Start-up Fellowship, British Society for Haematology (BSH).
2. Enhancer Functions.
Summary: During development and cell differentiation, epigenetic regulators are required to dramatically alter epigenetic programmes and therefore gene expression states to create new cell-specific profiles. Our aim is to understand how transcription enhancers control the epigenetic programme using an approach integrating molecular biology, bioinformatics and genetics. We will also test existing compounds and produce new inhibitors for epigenetic regulators in leukaemia. These have strong potential for the development of epigenetic therapy in the future.
Funding: Kay Kendall Leukaemia Fund.
PhD Students:
- Kamila Malysz (2020-2023)
Project: "Role of Demethylases in Myeloid leukaemia"
-Ailbhe Brazel (2013-2016)
Project: "Long Range Control of Epigenetic Regulation"
Honours Students:
-Miren Urrutia Iturritza (2017)
-Eirini Kallimasioti Pazi (2015)
Summer Students:
- Elise Georges (2018)
Project: "Chromosomal Alterations in Acute Myeloid Leukaemia"
-Justin Auerbach (2015)
Project: "CRISPR/Cas9 mediated enhancer deletion in mouse ES cells"
-Ami Patrick (2014)
Project: "Analysis of epigenetic regulators expression in normal haematopoietic and leukaemic cells"
-Sarah Mounedji (2014)
Project: "Generation of knock-in cells with a fluorescent reporter gene"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLdpMcpwyFw
Welcome to the Chromatin Laboratory, run by Dr Douglas Vernimmen and part of the Developmental Biology Division at The Roslin Institute. Dr Vernimmen introduces his laboratory and gives insight into his team's work, before each of his team members gives a brief overview of their position and role.
Prof Juri Rappsilber, University of Edinburgh
Dr Peter Hohenstein, University of Edinburgh
Dr Andrew Smith, University of Edinburgh
Prof Doug Higgs, University of Oxford
Prof Willem Ouwehand, University of Cambridge
Dr Yufeng Tong, University of Toronto
Prof Peter Andrews, University of Sheffield
Prof David Hume, University of Edinburgh
Douglas Vernimmen read Biology (BSc) and Molecular Biology (MSc) and gained his PhD in Biochemistry at the University of Liège (Belgium) in 2003. His work was under the supervision of Dr Rosita Winkler (Department of Pathology, Prof Boniver), and was focused on the characterisation of an enhancer element involved in the overexpression of an oncogene in breast cancers.
Afterwards, he moved to the University of Oxford (England) in the Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine as a MRC Postdoctoral fellow, under the supervision of Prof Doug Higgs (Molecular Haematology Unit). Using alpha globin regulation as a model, he showed the role of enhancer elements into the recruitment of transcription factors but also chromosomal looping and the epigenetic changes required for gene transcription.
During these years, Doug has developed an international reputation in the gene transcription field, and more particularly in chromosome looping studies where he developed a quantitative method to measure interaction between different DNA elements (q3C, Chromosome Conformation Capture). Overall, his work has always been dedicated to the understanding of 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 and thalassaemia.
Beside his scientific work, Douglas is also the recipient of over 200 awards and distinctions for his international contribution to Photography, and recently published a book, “Oxford Through the Lens”, aiming to fund scholarships at the University of Oxford.
Genetics Society: Local Representative for the Roslin Institute
Genetics Society: Ordinary Committee Member (Representative for Area A - Gene Structure, Function and Regulation)
Associate Member of Brasenose College, University of Oxford.
Member of the Belgian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Member of the Belgian Association for Cancer Research (BACR)
Member of the Genetics Society
Member of the British Society for Haematology
Member of the International Society for Experimental Hematology
Member of the British Society for Cell Biology
Elected Member Genetics Society Ordinary Committee Member (Representative for Area A - Gene Structure, Function and Regulation)
Member of the Oxford Photographic Society (2004-2012)
Member of the Royal Photographic Society
Member of Image sans Frontiere
Member of the Photographic Society of America
Member of the Edinburgh Photographic Society
Photographic Distinctions (EPSA, EFIAP, EH-ISF, RISF3, LRPS, CPAGB, BPE1*) and International Photography Awards (FIAP, PSA, RPS, IPA, PX3, AOP & PDN).
Website at http://www.douglasvernimmen.com/
Postdocs:
- Dr William Ho (2029-2020)
- Dr Darya Deen (2018-2020)
- Dr Louie van de Lagemaat (2016-2017)
- Dr Ali Anvari Azar (2017-2020)
Our collaborative research with Prof K Kranc is to address the precise functions of epigenetic regulators 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.
Doctor of Science, Characterisation of a transcription factor involved in HER2 gene overexpression in breast cancers , University of Liège
1996 → 2003
Award Date: 1 Jan 2003
Master of Science, Characterisation of cis sequence of the HER2 gene promoter in the BT-474 human mammary adenocarcinoma cell line, University of Liège
1994 → 1996
Award Date: 1 Jan 1996
Bachelor of Science, University of Liège
1992 → 1994
Award Date: 1 Jan 1994
Postdoc Fellow at the MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, (Prof. D. Higgs), Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
Feb 2004 → Sep 2012
Researcher position at the Pathology Dept., (Prof. J. Boniver), Pathology Institute B23, Liege University, Belgium
May 2003 → Jan 2004
ICRF Molecular Oncology Unit, Gene Transcription Laboratory (Prof. Helen. C. Hurst), Hammersmith Hospital, LONDON
Jun 1999 → Oct 1999
Three weeks training in the Microorganisms Genetic Laboratory (Prof. R. Matagne), Botanic Institute B22, Liege University
Feb 1999
Supervision of three students during their Master, with published results (see list of publications)
Sep 1997 → Jan 2004
Doctoral Fellow of the National Funds for Scientific Research (F.N.R.S), Molecular Oncology Laboratory (Dr. R. Winkler), Pathology Institute B23, Liege University
Sep 1997 → May 2003
Volunteer researcher, Molecular Oncology Laboratory (Dr. R. Winkler), Pathology Institute B23, Liege University.
Sep 1996 → Sep 1997
Two weeks training in the Fundamental Virology Laboratory (Prof. B. Rentier), University of Liège
Apr 1995 → …
Student assistant - Histology: 30 hours (Prof. G. Goessens), Physiology: 35 hours (Prof. R. Gilles), University of Liège
1995 → 1996
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Douglas Vernimmen (Organiser)
Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in workshop, seminar, course
Douglas Vernimmen (Organiser)
Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in workshop, seminar, course
Douglas Vernimmen (Organiser) & Samanta Mariani (Presenter)
Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in workshop, seminar, course
Douglas Vernimmen (Participant)
Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in conference
Douglas Vernimmen (Participant)
Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in workshop, seminar, course
Vernimmen, Douglas (Recipient) & Mortimer, Thomas (Recipient), 2 Nov 2019
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
Vernimmen, Douglas (Recipient) & Mortimer, Thomas (Recipient), 2 Nov 2019
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
1/01/18 → 31/07/18
Project: University Awarded Project Funding
Vernimmen, D., Hume, D., Kranc, K. & Ponting, C.
1/03/17 → 31/12/20
Project: Research
31/07/17
2 Media contributions
Press/Media: Press Release
21/04/14
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Public Engagement Activities