Our research is focused on nuclear chromatin control of gene expression in mammalian and vertebrate embryos, stem cells, reprogrammed cells and yeast-based models. We investigate the dynamics of epigenetic DNA methylation and histone modifications essential for early development, differentiation and cell fate reprogramming. These marks create an epigenetic ‘landscape’ that supports cell type specific gene regulatory networks but can also provide an epigenetic readout of exposures, ageing and other conditions. We study these epigenetic mechanisms in tissue specification, including cardiovascular development, the developmental origins of disease and regeneration. Our research interests centre on chromatin-mediated gene repression mechanisms and chromatin remodelling in gene activation. We have discovered that heterochromatin matures late in development but is induced early in mouse embryonic stem cells; and that epigenetic marks can rapidly adapt to cell culture.

MScR in Biomedical Sciences (Life Sciences) - Course Module Organiser