Daniel McKay, PhD
Associate Professor, Biology
Associate Professor, Genetics
Areas of Interest
Developmental genomics
About
Research in the lab focuses on how a single genome gives rise to a variety of cell types and body parts during development. We use Drosophila as a model organism to investigate (1) how transcription factors access DNA to regulate complex patterns of gene expression, and (2) how post-translational modification of histones contributes to maintenance of gene expression programs over time. We combine a range of approaches, including genomics (CUT&RUN, ATAC-seq, RNA-seq), genetics (transgenesis, CRISPR), microscopy, and biochemistry to address both of these questions. Defects in cell fate specification and maintenance of cell identity occur in most human diseases. A mechanistic understanding of normal development will shed light on how these processes go awry in disease.
Mentor Training:
- Bias 101
- Faculty Mentoring Workshop for Biomedical Researchers
- REI Racial Equity Workshop Phase 1
- Safe Zone
- TEAM ADVANCE
Training Program Affiliations:
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
- Biology
- Genetics and Molecular Biology