Gene expression patterns are ultimately shaped by the interplay between gene regulatory DNA sequences and epigenetic mechanisms that facilitate their control; this is fundamental to understanding the connection between genomes and cellular phenotypes in normal and disease states. Our research program consists of four major areas that aim to understand the interplay between gene regulatory DNA sequences and epigenetic mechanisms that control gene expression in normal and disease states. Projects in the lab are focused on 1) understanding the mechanistic role of DNA methylation in the cell type specific regulation of gene enhancers and promoters, 2) using comparative DNA methylation profiling to define cell-type essential gene enhancers and trace cell developmental histories, 3) dissecting the relationship between enhancer DNA sequences and epigenetics in human patient data and 4) comparing this relationship across species. Ultimately, our long-term mission is to understand how gene regulatory differences – at both DNA sequence and epigenetic levels – give rise to trait diversity and disease susceptibility.
POSTDOC POSITIONS AVAILABLE! Please email your CV to emily.hodges”at”vanderbilt.edu.