Grant: Project Grant

A kidney cell functions differently from a skin cell despite the fact that all the cells in one organism share the same DNA. This is because not all of the genes encoded within the DNA are active in the cells. Instead, cells can turn on just those genes that are specific to how that cell type works. One way that cells can regulate their genes is by using proteins called transcription factors and chromatin modifiers that can bind to DNA to turn nearby genes on and off. We study these processes using embryonic stem cells, a specialized cell type that can maintain its identity indefinitely while having the capacity to differentiate into all cell types of the body. When embryonic stem cells divide to form new embryonic stem cells to maintain its identity, the DNA is condensed and gene activity is turned off. However, each dividing cell also has to 'remember' the program of genes that specifies its identity. After division, how do the new embryonic stem cells know which genes to turn on and which ones to keep off? On the other hand, when embryonic stem cells differentiate into a new cell type, this transcriptional memory needs to be wiped clean, and a new transcription program needs to be established. How do differentiating embryonic stem cells achieve this complex process? These questions will be addressed in my proposed research project.