Epigenetics, Chromatin Structure, X Inactivation and Imprinting
Epigenetic changes are defined as mitotically (or meiotically) heritable changes in gene function that are not due to changes in primary base sequence. Mammalian development requires stable, somatically heritable epigenetic switches that are dependent on DNA methylation and/or chromatin structure. As evidenced by differential gene function, depending on whether a gene comes from the mother or father (parental imprinting), some epigenetic modifications are differentially engraved in male and female gametes, and these modifications affect the next generation. In 1975, I proposed DNA methylation as one epigenetic mechanism. Recently, gene knockout experiments have established that DNA methylation is necessary for mammalian development, normal parental imprinting and X chromosome inactivation. X chromosome inactivation (which results in the silencing of most genes on one of the two X chromosomes in all female mammalian cells) displays numerous epigenetic features, including parental imprinting. Also, some of the changes leading to metastatic cancer and other diseases are epigenetic in nature and involve DNA methylation. DNA methylation studies are a significant part of my research program; however, methylation is only part of the whole story for cell memory and/or parental imprinting. Therefore, my research program is broad-based and encompasses other aspects of chromatin structure-function and gene regulation. Current studies include epigenetic change in early mouse development, with a focus on demethylation mechanisms.

Louise Shively, B.S.
Staff Scientist                 
626-256-HOPE (4673)
Ext. 68248
lshively@coh.org

David Baker, B.S.
Staff Scientist
626-256-HOPE (4673)
Ext. 63310
dbaker@coh.org

Hsiu-Hua Chen, Ph.D.
Staff Scientist
626-256-HOPE (4673)
Ext. 63315
hchen@coh.org

Steven Bates, M.S.
Staff Scientist
626-256-HOPE (4673)
Ext. 63695
sbates@coh.org

Jeanne Le Bon, Ph.D.
Assistant Research Scientist
626-256-HOPE (4673)
Ext. 63796
jlebon@coh.org

Zhaoxia Chen, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
626-256-HOPE (4673)
Ext. 63315
zchen@coh.org

Torsten Hahn
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
626 256-4673 ext. 63310
Fax 626-358-7703
thahn@coh.org

Marc Jung
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
626-256-4673 ext. 63792
Fax: 626-358-7703
mjung@coh.org

Joshua Tompkins
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
626 256-4673 ext 63315
Fax 626 358-7703
jtompkins@coh.org

Xianwu Zheng
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
626 256-4673 ext 63651
Fax 626-358-7703
xzheng@coh.org

Jonathan Wise
Graduate Student
626 256-4673 ext 63315
Fax 626-358-7703
jwise@coh.org