The Role Of Ikaros In Establishing Regulatory Networks For Lymphocyte Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$345,809.00
Summary
Ikaros is a protein that regulates gene expression during development of lymphocytes from blood stem cells. Ikaros has a profound importance in normal and malignant lymphocyte development, but we still do not know how it controls these processes. The aim of my study is to identify genes regulated by Ikaros and the molecular mechanisms of their regulation. This study will contribute to understanding of the regulatory network controlling the development and function of lymphocytes.
Transcription factors (TFs) read cis-regulatory information encoded in the genome. However, they must compete with structural chromatin proteins such as nucleosomes for access to DNA motifs. It is unclear what features discriminate used from unused binding sites with similar motifs, in vivo. To provide insight and general principles of TF biology, I will express variants of a model TF in mammalian cells and test the contribution that specific molecular properties have on genomic binding.
Understanding The Role Of Three-dimensional Genome Organisation In B Cell Lineage Commitment And Leukaemia.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
Every one of your nuclei contain 2 metres of DNA. This DNA is 300,000 times longer than the nucleus itself. In order to fit into this space, while maintaining access to crucial genes, the DNA forms a fantastically ordered three-dimensional structure. This intricate organisation is crucial to health, with even minute changes driving diseases, such as cancer and heart disease. We propose using new technology to understand how this organisation changes during immune cell development and leukaemia.