About

• Department Affiliations:
• Genetics

• Other UNC PhD Program Affiliations:
• Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences

My Research

Our genome is a long DNA polymer that must be folded to fit inside the nucleus. This folding is actively regulated by multiple protein factors that create specific physical contacts between distant genomic regions. These regulated DNA-DNA interactions are required for key cellular functions, including transcription, replication, and genome maintenance. Our lab aims to uncover the fundamental principles that determine how the genome folds in 3D, and to understand how this 3D organization influences genome function in health and disease.

We specifically focus on:

1. The molecular mechanisms that fold the genome within the nucleus.
2. Identifying nuclear factors that impact genome folding and understanding their underlying regulatory mechanisms.
3. Understanding how genome folding influences genome function.
4. Revealing how misfolding of the genome contributes to human disease.

To explore these questions, we use a combination of genomics (ChIP-seq, Hi-C), DNA-FISH imaging, biochemical assays, and genetic screening.