Research

In this young research group we are working on elucidating the molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of gene expression. Gene activity is often regulated by modifying chromatin, a complex structure consisting of DNA wrapped around an octamer of histones. From these, DNA methylation and Post-translational modifications of histones, such as methylation and phosphorylation, play an important role in determining chromatin states associated with gene activation or repression. We are currently using the unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, the higher plant Arabidopsis thaliana and sugarcane as model systems to identify and characterize molecular components of the gene silencing machineries. Besides advancing our knowledge on the regulatory roles of previously unknown mechanisms of gene expression control, the study of these mechanisms will allow for the development of new tools for modulating gene expression in plants and other eukaryotes (e.g. similar to how fundamental studies of PTGS led to the discovery of RNAi) and the designing of novel strategies for the engineering of crop plants.

Pic from Dennis and Peacock 2004