Research

Our research focuses on how gene activity is regulated, particularly following the recruitment of RNA polymerases to target genes. We also explore how transcription is coordinated with DNA replication.

How gene activity is controlled: RNA Polymerase II (Pol II) transcribes the majority of our genes and it is regulated by factors that either increase or decrease RNA synthesis. In complex organisms like humans, gene regulation involves premature Pol II termination by the large molecular complex called Integrator. Mutations in Integrator subunits are associated with various diseases, including developmental disorders, neurodegenerative conditions, and cancers, highlighting the importance of this process. We are interested in understanding premature Pol II termination in different contexts.

Gene activity and genome stability: The machinery responsible for gene transcription, DNA replication, and repair must smoothly navigate the DNA strands of our genome. Lack of coordination between these processes leads to conflicts that stress cells and potentially cause genome instability and cell death. However, it is not fully understood how cells avoid these conflicts, how they resolve them, and how cancerous cells tolerate this conflict-associated genome instability. We are interested in understanding the basic principles of coordination between these processes, and how conflicts between them are recognized and resolved.

We hope to provide a deeper mechanistic understanding of the spatiotemporal control of gene activity and elucidate fundamental mechanisms of systems coordination between transcription, DNA replication, and repair. This knowledge could potentially lead to new therapeutic approaches with broad applications.

We are currently looking for new team members at all levels. If you're interested, please get in touch with us.