Chromatin architecture and regulation

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In human cells, DNA, our genetic blueprint, is precisely folded with proteins in a complex called chromatin. This serves two purposes, to protect DNA from damage and to regulate how DNA is read by molecular machines, in a process called transcription; mistakes in reading DNA lead to altered proteins and change cell function. The regions of our genomes that need to be read are called genes and despite many years research we do not understand how DNA is folded up inside cells, particularly at the specialised regions in front of genes called promoters and enhancers. In this programme we will develop new tools to map the 3D structures of DNA/proteins in human cells and create a high resolution map of our genomes. We will then focus on mapping the structure of specific promoters and enhancers for genes that are well known to be important for human disease and identify the molecular mechanisms for controlling promoter folding and function. This project will provide fundamental insight into how DNA is packaged and regulated in human cells. This information will subsequently enable us to investigate how chromatin folding is altered in disease and to develop new therapies to correct these changes.