Epigenetic Programming of Neuronal Identity
Throughout human development, diverse differentiated cell types have emerged from a single pluripotent population of cells. For this differentiation process to occur, mechanisms must exist that activate the gene programs of target lineages while repressing those of alternative lineages. However, the underlying functional changes in spatial genome organization accompanying these changes in gene expression are poorly understood, especially during mammalian development.
Our lab is primarily interested in brain development, which begins shortly after gastrulation and continues in early infancy. While this complex process is being investigated in vivo, our focus is on the in vitro modeling of neurogenesis in 2D and 3D by reprogramming embryonic fibroblasts or induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) into neurons and brain organoids. Our objective is to understand how changes in genome organization affect the expression of gene programs during neurogenesis and other differentiation pathways, such as adipogenesis. For this purpose, we use advanced genomics methods such as ATAC-Seq and HiC-Seq, transcriptomics, and metabolomics.
The overarching goal is to provide an ideal system to gain mechanistic insights into the regulation of early fate commitment during neurogenesis and other differentiation pathways. As neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD, autism, learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, conduct disorders, cerebral palsy, and impairments in vision and hearing are often caused by misregulated transcriptional pathways, our work may provide novel insights into the etiology of these diseases. Learn more about the group's research by clicking this link.
Learn more about Piergiorgio Percipalle's Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology.
