Regulation of Gene Expression

Understanding the molecular and genetic mechanisms of how genes are regulated is fundamental to all areas of biology. In this research focus, genetic principles are applied to investigate basic mechanisms of transcription, gene expression, transcription factor interactions with DNA, chromatin structure, and protein-protein interactions that regulate gene activity. A recent emphasis on chromatin structure and epigenetics highlight exciting work in this area. A broad range of systems are studied and include: regulation of the genes of the human immune system; regulation of mitochondrial and visual system genes; mechanisms of transcriptional initiation and elongation; dosage compensation in Drosophila; role of oncogenes and tumor suppressors on gene expression; and genes involved in bacterial differentiation and pathogenesis.

Program Faculty include: J. Boss, A. Corbett, J. Fridovich-Keil, G. Jones, B. Kelly, J. Lucchesi, C. Moran, C. Moreno, A. Neish, J. Nickerson, D. Reines, E. Van Meir, P. Vertino, B. Yedvobnick.