我们和其他科学家发现染色质隔离子结合蛋白CTCF介导远距离染色质内和染色质间的相互作用，并通过形成染色质环，进而调节特定基因的表达。远距离染色质相互作用的空间分布和时间调控对细胞特性和细胞命运的决定是至关重要的。乳腺细胞的癌化过程是细胞内染色质结构和表观遗传机制动荡变化的过程。目前为止，在正常的乳腺细胞和乳腺癌细胞中，比较分析CTCF所介导的远距离染色质相互作用的研究未见报道。本研究是在本人近期研究工作的基础上，以ChIA-PET技术为平台，在正常的乳腺细胞和乳腺癌细胞中，比较分析受CTCF所调控的远距离染色质相互作用的差异；全面绘制正常的乳腺细胞和乳腺癌细胞染色质的互动网络；挖掘出参与乳腺细胞癌化的特异性DNA调控元件，从而揭示远离基因的基因组区域如何在调控肿瘤形成中发挥重要作用，并为开发新型药物提供理论依据。

We and other scientists found that the chromatin insulator binding protein CTCF mediates long range inter-chromosomal contacts and intra-chromosomal interactions, and regulates the expression of specific genes by forming chromatin ring. Spatial distribution and temporal regulation of long range chromatin interaction are crucial for cell identity and cell fate determination. Transformation process from normal breast cells to breast cancer cells is the process of turbulent changes in chromatin structure and epigenetic information in the cells. So far, comparative analysis of CTCF-mediated long range chromatin interactions in normal breast cells and breast cancer cells has not been reported. Based on my recent work, in this study, using ChIA-PET technology platform, we will comparatively analyze the differences of long range chromatin interactions mediated by CTCF in both normal breast cells and breast cancer cells; fully draw chromatin interaction network in both normal breast cells and breast cancer cells; dig out the specific DNA regulatory elements involved in breast carcinogenesis; reveal how genomic regions far away from the genes play the important roles in the regulation of tumor formation, and provide a theoretical basis for the development of new drugs.