Chromatin, the assembly of DNA and its associated proteins, constitutes the template for most nuclear processes, including transcription, replication and DNA damage repair. Faithful regulation of chromatin processes is central to normal cellular function and development. Employing a broad range of genome-wide approaches to interrogate chromatin, backed by extensive computational analytics, our lab has been interested the functional consequences of aberrant chromatin in cancer development.
We study these processes in Ewing Sarcoma and other childhood cancers. Ewing sarcoma, a tumor of children and young adults, is characterized by a chromosomal translocation that creates a transcriptional regulator that gains chromatin remodeling activity. We explore the genomic events that are associated with these mutations. We also evaluate strategies that harness epigenetic and chromatin regulatory processes for cancer treatment. The lab offers a unique opportunity to bridge high-throughput sequencing-based approaches with cellular, biochemical, and drug discovery studies.
AFFILIATIONS
Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
Program in Chromatin and Epigenetics
Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology
Curriculum in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
Biological and Biomedical Sciences Program
CONTACT INFORMATION
UNC Chapel Hill
Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center 21-229
Chapel Hill, NC 27599
Lab: (919) 966-4340
Office: (919) 966-5360