Laboratory of Eukaryotic Transcription

The transcriptional regulatory events that are central to cell growth, differentiation and (malignant) transformation are governed by complex epigenetic mechanisms. Nuclear DNA in eukaryotic cells is organized within a hierarchical chromatin structure that restricts access to regulatory proteins that activate gene expression. Eukaryotic transcription is influenced by many transcription factors that involve general transcription factors (GTFs), positive cofactors, negative cofactors, ATP-dependent chromatin remodelers, histone modifying enzymes and so on. Our broad objectives are to understand the fundamental aspects of eukaryotic transcription mechanisms. To this end, we aim to determine the nature and mechanism of action of both the general transcription machinery that is commonly used by all genes and the gene- and cell-type-specific factors that directly regulate target genes in response to various growth, developmental and stress stimuli by using biochemical and genetic analysis tools.