Grant: Project Grant

Chromosomes consist of DNA packaged with proteins to form chromatin. Although the DNA in nearly all cells of the body is the same, its organization into chromatin can vary in different types of cells. An important area of research is therefore to understand how chromatin organization is controlled in a cell type-specific manner and how disruption of this control leads to disease. In our previous studies, we identified chromatin binding proteins that are important for fertility. Interestingly, the effects of mutating these proteins on fertility took many generations to develop. In our current proposal, we will study the nature of these inherited defects and their relationships to other genes that control chromatin organization. We anticipate that this work will lead to a better understanding of the ways in which changes to chromatin organization in an individual may affect future generations.