Research Synopsis

Genetics and Chromatin Dynamics in Stem Cell

There are several well-established investigators whose work is focused on the genetic analysis and chromatin conformation of stem cells vs. differentiated cells. Working together, Drs. Michael Snyder, Sherman Weissman and Mark Gerstein have made remarkable progress on genome wide analysis of hematopoietic stem cells and their differentiated progeny, and they are currently seeking to turn their efforts towards more all-encompassing studies of human embryonic stem cells. Theirs is an ideal example of the synergy that results when topnotch researchers with widely different expertise (Dr. Snyder designs microarrays, Dr. Weissman is an expert in hematopoiesis, and Dr. Gerstein excels in developing powerful new tools for bioformatics analysis) work together, which is precisely what the YSCC aims to promote in the coming years. Dr. Haifan Lin has made many seminal discoveries in stem cell regulation and has recently identified a novel class of over 50,000 RNAs, called piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs, for their ability to bind to the piwi family proteins) that are clustered throughout the genome. His continued work on this new class of RNAs may open new paradigms in the genetic regulation of stem cells. Dr. Valerie Reinke has identified that the maintenance of genomic stability by p53 is differentially regulation in embryonic stem cells as compared to more differentiated cells, and she is now determining the molecular mechanisms underlying this difference.