Basic Science
Chromatin biology plays an important role in the regulation of transcription and maintenance of homeostasis in cells. Our lab uses a combination of biochemical and in vitro approaches to help better understand the role of the Polycomb group (PcG) of proteins in chromatin regulation. The PcG proteins are major chromatin regulators in cells and transcriptional repression is achieved through their activity on chromatin.
Our lab specifically focuses on Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) and its methylating activity on histone 3 lysine 27 (H3K27) which results in mono-, di-, and tri- methylated H3K27 (H3K27me1, H2K27me2, H3K27me3). H3K27me3 is enriched in transcriptionally silenced genomic regions. The proteins that make up the PRC2 are comprised of a core, which determines the catalytic activity, and accessory subunits, which can be interchanged to modulate the recruitment and activity of the core subunits on chromatin. Our lab studies newly defined accessory proteins to describe their effects on PRC2 and chromatin.
Translational Science
While chromatin regulation is crucial for mammalian development and cellular proliferation, the deregulation of chromatin can contribute to the onset and progression of cancer. Several PcG proteins and their activities are deregulated in cancer, and they play particularly important roles in the oncogenic processes underlying rare pediatric brain tumors such Diffuse midline gliomas (DMG) and posterio fossa group A (PFA) ependymomas.
Our lab uses primary cell models to emulate cancer growth in patients and investigate the role of Polycomb group proteins (PcGs) through genetic manipulation and drug treatments. Primary cell lines and mouse models allow us to answer questions about how and when the PcG proteins play a role in cancer.
Clinical Science
Our lab has developed collaborations with local physicians to help understand how the deregulation of PcG proteins could be exploited in terms of diagnosis and treatment of lethal pediatric and rare tumors. Our Lab participates to molecular tumor boards, analyses of patient derived samples and clinical trials. Along with dedicated teams of experts for each cancer group we contribute to molecular diagnoses and formulation of molecularly informed therapeutic strategies.
Basic Science
Chromatin biology plays an important role in the regulation of transcription and maintenance of homeostasis in cells. Our lab uses a combination of biochemical and in vitro approaches to help better understand the role of the Polycomb group (PcG) of proteins in chromatin regulation. The PcG proteins are major chromatin regulators in cells and transcriptional repression is achieved through their activity on chromatin.
Our lab specifically focuses on Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) and its methylating activity on histone 3 lysine 27 (H3K27) which results in mono-, di-, and tri- methylated H3K27 (H3K27me1, H2K27me2, H3K27me3). H3K27me3 is enriched in transcriptionally silenced genomic regions. The proteins that make up the PRC2 are comprised of a core, which determines the catalytic activity, and accessory subunits, which can be interchanged to modulate the recruitment and activity of the core subunits on chromatin. Our lab studies newly defined accessory proteins to describe their effects on PRC2 and chromatin.
Translational Science
While chromatin regulation is crucial for mammalian development and cellular proliferation, the deregulation of chromatin can contribute to the onset and progression of cancer. Several PcG proteins and their activities are deregulated in cancer, and they play particularly important roles in the oncogenic processes underlying rare pediatric brain tumors such Diffuse midline gliomas (DMG) and posterio fossa group A (PFA) ependymomas.
Our lab uses primary cell models to emulate cancer growth in patients and investigate the role of Polycomb group proteins (PcGs) through genetic manipulation and drug treatments. Primary cell lines and mouse models allow us to answer questions about how and when the PcG proteins play a role in cancer.
Clinical Science
Our lab has developed collaborations with local physicians to help understand how the deregulation of PcG proteins could be exploited in terms of diagnosis and treatment of lethal pediatric and rare tumors. Our Lab participates to molecular tumor boards, analyses of patient derived samples and clinical trials. Along with dedicated teams of experts for each cancer group we contribute to molecular diagnoses and formulation of molecularly informed therapeutic strategies.
