Epigenetics Podcast

In this episode of the Epigenetics Podcast, we talked with Michaela Frye from he German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in Heidelberg about her work on the role of RNA modifications and RNA binding proteins in gene expression and cancer development. Central to Dr. Frey’s work is the NSUN family of RNA-modifying proteins, which she first encountered during her postdoctoral research. Initially perceived as a DNA methyltransferase, she unwittingly discovered that this family also plays vital roles in RNA methylation. Her exploration revealed that these proteins significantly affect gene stability and translation processes, especially under stress, making them critical players in cancer pathology. As her research progressed, Frey transitioned into her own lab, where she continued exploring RNA modifications in the context of skin and cancer cells. She emphasizes the critical distinction between the roles of different RNA modifications in various cellular contexts, especially highlighting the differences between steady-state stem cells and those undergoing differentiation or stress responses. Frey's lab investigates how these modifications regulate translational processes, which are essential for cellular adaptation to environmental changes. Frey further discusses her findings related to the NSUN proteins in stem cell function and their implications for germ cell differentiation in testes. This intricate relationship between RNA modifications and cellular dynamics underscores the significance of epitranscriptomics in understanding cancer treatment resistance and cellular adaptation mechanisms. Recent findings from her team at DKFZ show a compelling connection between mitochondrial function and RNA modifications in cancer cells. Frey articulates a newfound interest in how these modifications influence cellular responses to cancer therapies, particularly how their regulation may mitigate treatment resistance. Reflecting on the evolution of RNA modification research, she notes that the field has matured rapidly but acknowledges the challenges posed by abundant yet often contradictory findings. Frey advocates for a clearer understanding of the fundamental functions of distinct RNA modifications to harness their potential in therapeutic contexts effectively. References Blanco S, Kurowski A, Nichols J, et al. The RNA-methyltransferase Misu (NSun2) poises epidermal stem cells to differentiate. Plos Genetics. 2011 Dec;7(12):e1002403. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1002403. PMID: 22144916; PMCID: PMC3228827 Hussain S, Tuorto F, Menon S, et al. The mouse cytosine-5 RNA methyltransferase NSun2 is a component of the chromatoid body and required for testis differentiation. Molecular and Cellular Biology. 2013 Apr;33(8):1561-1570. DOI: 10.1128/mcb.01523-12. PMID: 23401851; PMCID: PMC3624257 Blanco S, Bandiera R, Popis M, et al. Stem cell function and stress response are controlled by protein synthesis. Nature. 2016 Jun;534(7607):335-340. DOI: 10.1038/nature18282. PMID: 27306184; PMCID: PMC5040503 Delaunay S, Pascual G, Feng B, et al. Mitochondrial RNA modifications shape metabolic plasticity in metastasis. Nature. 2022 Jul;607(7919):593-603. DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-04898-5. PMID: 35768510; PMCID: PMC9300468. Related Episodes The Effect of lncRNAs on Chromatin and Gene Regulation (John Rinn) The Role of lncRNAs in Tumor Growth and Treatment (Sarah Diermeier) The Role of Small RNAs in Transgenerational Inheritance in C. elegans (Oded Rechavi) Contact Epigenetics Podcast on Mastodon Epigenetics Podcast on Bluesky Dr. Stefan Dillinger on LinkedIn Active Motif on LinkedIn Active Motif on Bluesky Email: [email protected]

In this episode of the Epigenetics Podcast, we talked with Oliver Bell from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles about his work on chromatin-based regulatory systems that encode cellular memory and their implications for development and disease. The Interview starts with Dr. Bell describing his early career contributions to understanding the functionality of histone methylation in facilitating dosage compensation and gene silencing. His efforts at dissecting the complexities of epigenetic regulation culminate in significant discoveries that highlight the nuanced effects of chromatin adjustments on gene activity and stability across cell divisions. As we progress, Dr. Bell shares details about his postdoctoral research, where he engineered systems to study chromatin remodeling and the maintenance of transcriptional states through development. His innovative use of induced proximity to manipulate chromatin modifiers offers groundbreaking approaches to understanding how epigenetic states can be established and sustained, alongside the implications for therapeutic strategies in cancer treatment. An important aspect of our discussion centers on his identification of the ZFP462 protein, which plays a critical role in neurodevelopmental disorders. Dr. Bell outlines his lab's ongoing research into deciphering how this zinc finger protein interacts with enhancers to influence gene regulation in embryonic stem cells and its potential connection to specific diseases. This leads to an engaging dialogue about the relationship between 3D genome organization and epigenetic regulation, focusing on how disruptions in chromatin architecture may affect gene expression. Towards the end of our conversation, we touch upon the emerging potential of AI in epigenetic research, exploring how advances in technology could facilitate the screening of small molecules targeted at chromatin-modifying complexes. Dr. Bell offers a forward-looking perspective on the future applications of this research, revealing his aspirations for therapeutic developments based on his findings. References Bell, O., Wirbelauer, C., Hild, M., Scharf, A. N., Schwaiger, M., MacAlpine, D. M., Zilbermann, F., van Leeuwen, F., Bell, S. P., Imhof, A., Garza, D., Peters, A. H., & Schübeler, D. (2007). Localized H3K36 methylation states define histone H4K16 acetylation during transcriptional elongation in Drosophila. The EMBO journal, 26(24), 4974–4984. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.emboj.7601926 Hathaway, N. A., Bell, O., Hodges, C., Miller, E. L., Neel, D. S., & Crabtree, G. R. (2012). Dynamics and memory of heterochromatin in living cells. Cell, 149(7), 1447–1460. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2012.03.052 Moussa, H. F., Bsteh, D., Yelagandula, R., Pribitzer, C., Stecher, K., Bartalska, K., Michetti, L., Wang, J., Zepeda-Martinez, J. A., Elling, U., Stuckey, J. I., James, L. I., Frye, S. V., & Bell, O. (2019). Canonical PRC1 controls sequence-independent propagation of Polycomb-mediated gene silencing. Nature communications, 10(1), 1931. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-09628-6 Yelagandula, R., Stecher, K., Novatchkova, M. et al. ZFP462 safeguards neural lineage specification by targeting G9A/GLP-mediated heterochromatin to silence enhancers. Nat Cell Biol 25, 42–55 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41556-022-01051-2 Bsteh, D., Moussa, H.F., Michlits, G. et al. Loss of cohesin regulator PDS5A reveals repressive role of Polycomb loops. Nat Commun 14, 8160 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-43869-w Related Episodes Effects of DNA Methylation on Chromatin Structure and Transcription (Dirk Schübeler) Polycomb Proteins, Gene Regulation, and Genome Organization in Drosophila (Giacomo Cavalli) Transcription and Polycomb in Inheritance and Disease (Danny Reinberg) Contact Epigenetics Podcast on Mastodon Epigenetics Podcast on Bluesky Dr. Stefan Dillinger on LinkedIn Active Motif on LinkedIn Active Motif on Bluesky Email: [email protected]

In this episode of the Epigenetics Podcast, we talked with Patrick Murphy from Cornell University about his work on gene regulation and cellular identity. Dr. Murphy's research focuses on the molecular mechanisms that govern gene expression through transcriptional and chromatin-based regulatory networks. At the start of the Interview Dr. Murphy describes an innovative single-molecule analytical approach he developed during his early research. This method enables the simultaneous detection of multiple epigenetic marks and contributes to his foundational studies on chromatin biology. Focusing on chromatin states, he introduces the concept of placeholder nucleosomes which are specialised nucleosomes that play key roles in maintaining a permissive chromatin state and facilitating gene activation during embryonic development. The discussion further explores Dr. Murphy's transition from studying Drosophila to working with zebrafish, highlighting his focus on chromatin reprogramming during zygotic genome activation. He presents data from his collaborations that reveal intriguing roles for specific chromatin marks, emphasising how these discoveries hold potential for understanding gene expression regulation in both zebrafish and mammalian models. Dr. Murphy also shares insights into a project investigating the impacts of paternal cigarette smoke on offspring health, which led to an exploration of systemic inflammation responses and their lasting effects on gene expression in the brain. This unique intersection of basic and translational research underlines the wide-ranging implications of his findings. References Murphy, P. J., Cipriany, B. R., Wallin, C. B., Ju, C. Y., Szeto, K., Hagarman, J. A., Benitez, J. J., Craighead, H. G., & Soloway, P. D. (2013). Single-molecule analysis of combinatorial epigenomic states in normal and tumor cells. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 110(19), 7772–7777. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1218495110 Murphy, P. J., Wu, S. F., James, C. R., Wike, C. L., & Cairns, B. R. (2018). Placeholder Nucleosomes Underlie Germline-to-Embryo DNA Methylation Reprogramming. Cell, 172(5), 993–1006.e13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2018.01.022 Park, B. J., Hua, S., Casler, K. D., Cefaloni, E., Ayers, M. C., Lake, R. F., Murphy, K. E., Vertino, P. M., O'Connell, M. R., & Murphy, P. J. (2025). CUT&Tag overcomes biases of ChIP and establishes chromatin patterns for repetitive genomic loci. iScience, 28(11), 113757. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2025.113757 Related Episodes Pioneer Transcription Factors and Their Influence on Chromatin Structure (Ken Zaret) In Vivo Nucleosome Structure and Dynamics (Srinivas Ramachandran) Nucleosome Positioning in Cancer Diagnostics (Vladimir Teif) Contact Epigenetics Podcast on Mastodon Epigenetics Podcast on Bluesky Dr. Stefan Dillinger on LinkedIn Active Motif on LinkedIn Active Motif on Bluesky Email: [email protected]

In this episode of the Epigenetics Podcast, we talked with Srinjan Basu from Imperial College London to talk about his work on how chromatin architecture and epigenetic mechanisms orchestrate developmental gene expression programs. We begin by exploring Dr. Basu's early work at Harvard which involved pioneering Raman-based label-free imaging, allowing the study of chromatin dynamics in live tissue. Here, he tackles technical challenges faced in visualizing DNA interactions, emphasizing the shift from 2D to 3D analysis and the importance of real-time observation of chromatin behavior under various conditions. This segues into his groundbreaking research on single transcription factors interacting with chromatin, revealing subtle but significant changes in the dynamics of gene regulation. We transition into the complexities of chromatin architecture as Dr. Basu recounts his efforts in mapping the entire mouse genome in single pluripotent cells, unearthing unexpected heterogeneity among cells. This heterogeneity raises intriguing questions about its impact on cellular function, prompting ongoing investigations into chromatin dynamics and the role of remodeling complexes like NuRD in cell fate transitions. Dr. Basu elucidates how recent studies have begun to bridge the gaps in understanding how transcription factors and chromatin dynamics interact during cellular decisions, particularly emphasizing the influence of mechanical signals and the intrinsic properties of cells. His research underscores the idea that stem cells undergo a preparatory phase for differentiation, highlighting the critical balance of intrinsic and extrinsic factors that govern genetic expression and cellular outcomes. We also talk about Dr. Basu's current research trajectory, focusing on enhancing imaging techniques to study gene dynamics in tissue contexts relevant to developmental biology and disease states. He illustrates a vision for future projects that integrate advanced imaging tools to investigate transcription factor dynamics and chromatin interactions in live cells and embryos, furthering the understanding of decision-making processes in cellular contexts. References Stevens TJ, Lando D, Basu S, et al. 3D structures of individual mammalian genomes studied by single-cell Hi-C. Nature. 2017 Apr;544(7648):59-64. DOI: 10.1038/nature21429. PMID: 28289288; PMCID: PMC5385134. Basu S, Needham LM, Lando D, et al. FRET-enhanced photostability allows improved single-molecule tracking of proteins and protein complexes in live mammalian cells. Nature Communications. 2018 Jun;9(1):2520. DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-04486-0. PMID: 29955052; PMCID: PMC6023872. Related Episodes Advanced Optical Imaging in 3D Nuclear Organisation (Lothar Schermelleh) Analysis of 3D Chromatin Structure Using Super-Resolution Imaging (Alistair Boettiger) Single-Molecule Imaging of the Epigenome (Efrat Shema) Contact Epigenetics Podcast on Mastodon Epigenetics Podcast on Bluesky Dr. Stefan Dillinger on LinkedIn Active Motif on LinkedIn Active Motif on Bluesky Email: [email protected]

In this episode of the Epigenetics Podcast, we talked with Peggy Farnham from the Keck School of Medicine at USC about her work on establishing the ChIP Method in mammalian cells. In this episode, we dive into the relationship between transcription factors, chromatin dynamics, and gene expression with Professor Peggy Farnham from the Keck School of Medicine at USC. Professor Farnham shares her profound insights into how her groundbreaking research has reshaped our understanding of gene regulation and its implications in cancer. We explore how she has been a pioneer in mapping the genome-wide landscape of regulatory proteins, illuminating the molecular logic behind transcriptional control and its disruption in cancer biology. The interview starts with her instrumental role in adapting chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) technology from yeast to human cells. Professor Farnham reflects on the technical challenges she faced during this transition, such as the quest for visibility of signals in mammalian systems. Her ability to innovate and troubleshoot challenges led to significant advancements in techniques that allow for the rapid identification of transcription factor binding sites, fundamentally changing the landscape of epigenetic research. As the discussion progresses, we learn about Professor Farnham's active involvement in the ENCODE project, where she contributed to high-resolution mapping of transcription factors and regulatory elements in human cells. She articulates her appreciation for collaborative efforts in science, highlighting how working within a consortium harnesses the collective expertise of diverse research groups. This collaboration not only bolstered the credibility of the data produced but also propelled the field forward in understanding the complexity of gene regulation. Through her participation in various projects, such as the Psyc-ENCODE consortium and the Roadmap Epigenome Mapping Consortium, Professor Farnham shares insights into her investigation of epigenetic variations, particularly in relation to complex disorders like schizophrenia. Her findings underscore the nuances of enhancer variability among individuals and the implications for understanding disease mechanisms, thereby advancing our knowledge of genetic regulation and its contributions to diverse biological outcomes. Moreover, the episode highlights Professor Farnham's reflective understanding of emerging technologies in the field. She discusses the evolution of methods that allow researchers to investigate gene regulation at single-cell resolution, recognizing the significant implications these innovations have for our comprehension of cellular differentiation and the transcriptional landscape. References Weinmann AS, Bartley SM, Zhang T, Zhang MQ, Farnham PJ. Use of chromatin immunoprecipitation to clone novel E2F target promoters. Molecular and Cellular Biology. 2001 Oct;21(20):6820-6832. DOI: 10.1128/mcb.21.20.6820-6832.2001. PMID: 11564866; PMCID: PMC99859. Wells J, Farnham PJ. Characterizing transcription factor binding sites using formaldehyde crosslinking and immunoprecipitation. Methods (San Diego, Calif.). 2002 Jan;26(1):48-56. DOI: 10.1016/s1046-2023(02)00007-5. PMID: 12054904. Rhie SK, Schreiner S, Witt H, et al. Using 3D epigenomic maps of primary olfactory neuronal cells from living individuals to understand gene regulation. Science Advances. 2018 Dec;4(12):eaav8550. DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aav8550. PMID: 30555922; PMCID: PMC6292713. Tak YG, Hung Y, Yao L, et al. Effects on the transcriptome upon deletion of a distal element cannot be predicted by the size of the H3K27Ac peak in human cells. Nucleic Acids Research. 2016 May;44(9):4123-4133. DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkv1530. PMID: 26743005; PMCID: PMC4872074. Related Episodes The Effect of lncRNAs on Chromatin and Gene Regulation (John Rinn) CpG Islands, DNA Methylation, and Disease (Sir Adrian Bird) The Future of Protein–DNA Mapping (Mitch Guttman) MLL Proteins in Mixed-Lineage Leukemia (Yali Dou) Contact Epigenetics Podcast on Mastodon Epigenetics Podcast on Bluesky Dr. Stefan Dillinger on LinkedIn Active Motif on LinkedIn Active Motif on Bluesky Email: [email protected]

In this episode of the Epigenetics Podcast, we talked with Will Wang from Sanford Burnham Prebys about his work on muscle stem cell repair, regeneration, and aging, exploring spatial-omics and machine learning. We begin our conversation by exploring the traditional concepts of spatial biology and how they have evolved to play a critical role in disease research. Dr. Wang recounts his journey from a young student in a family of academics to becoming a leading figure in regenerative biology, highlighting how his early interests in life sciences, natural problem-solving abilities, and inspirations from mentorship set the stage for his current research trajectory. Throughout the discussion, we uncover key insights on how muscle stem cells transition from a quiescent state to a proliferative state in response to injury and how this dynamic process is governed by the epigenetic landscape and various signalling pathways. Dr. Wang emphasises the impact of external factors—be it microenvironment conditions or metabolic cues—on the fate and function of these stem cells, reflecting on the methodologies used to investigate these processes throughout his career. He shares fascinating findings from his PhD work, where he explored the regulatory role of transcription factors like PAX-7 in muscle stem cell activation, and how subsequent research developed in his postdoc at Stanford further illuminated the relationship between metabolism and histone acetylation. This pivotal work not only demonstrated how metabolic states dictate epigenetic modifications but also offered potential therapeutic insights for muscle degeneration and repair. As we move into more recent projects, Dr. Wang discusses the advances in multiplexed spatial proteomics and the insights garnered from a single-cell spatiotemporal atlas of muscle regeneration, which highlight the cellular heterogeneity in muscle tissue. He describes the use of novel computational tools, including neural networks, to uncover the regulatory mechanisms underlying stem cell function, particularly how prostaglandin signalling informs the regeneration process and how age impacts stem cell efficacy. The episode then wraps up with an engaging dialogue about the future implications of Dr. Wang’s work in addressing age-related muscle degradation and broader applications in regenerative medicine. References Yucel, N., Wang, Y. X., Mai, T., Porpiglia, E., Lund, P. J., Markov, G., Garcia, B. A., Bendall, S. C., Angelo, M., & Blau, H. M. (2019). Glucose Metabolism Drives Histone Acetylation Landscape Transitions that Dictate Muscle Stem Cell Function. Cell Reports, 27(13), 3939-3955.e6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2019.05.092 Wang, Y. X., Palla, A. R., Ho, A. T. V., Robinson, D. C. L., Ravichandran, M., Markov, G. J., Mai, T., Still, C., Balsubramani, A., Nair, S., Holbrook, C. A., Yang, A. V., Kraft, P. E., Su, S., Burns, D. M., Yucel, N. D., Qi, L. S., Kundaje, A., & Blau, H. M. (2025). Multiomic profiling reveals that prostaglandin E2 reverses aged muscle stem cell dysfunction, leading to increased regeneration and strength. Cell Stem Cell, 32(7), 1154-1169.e9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stem.2025.05.012 Related Episodes Stem Cell Transcriptional Regulation in Naive vs. Primed Pluripotency (Christa Buecker) The Effect of Mechanotransduction on Chromatin Structure and Transcription in Stem Cells (Sara Wickström) Epigenetic Regulation of Stem Cell Self-Renewal and Differentiation (Peggy Goodell) Contact Epigenetics Podcast on Mastodon Epigenetics Podcast on Bluesky Dr. Stefan Dillinger on LinkedIn Active Motif on LinkedIn Active Motif on Bluesky Email: [email protected]

In this episode of the Epigenetics Podcast, we talked with Will Wang from Sanford Burnham Prebys about his work on muscle stem cell repair, regeneration, and aging, exploring spatial-omics and machine learning. We begin our conversation by exploring the traditional concepts of spatial biology and how they have evolved to play a critical role in disease research. Dr. Wang recounts his journey from a young student in a family of academics to becoming a leading figure in regenerative biology, highlighting how his early interests in life sciences, natural problem-solving abilities, and inspirations from mentorship set the stage for his current research trajectory. Throughout the discussion, we uncover key insights on how muscle stem cells transition from a quiescent state to a proliferative state in response to injury and how this dynamic process is governed by the epigenetic landscape and various signalling pathways. Dr. Wang emphasises the impact of external factors—be it microenvironment conditions or metabolic cues—on the fate and function of these stem cells, reflecting on the methodologies used to investigate these processes throughout his career. He shares fascinating findings from his PhD work, where he explored the regulatory role of transcription factors like PAC-7 in muscle stem cell activation, and how subsequent research developed in his postdoc at Stanford further illuminated the relationship between metabolism and histone acetylation. This pivotal work not only demonstrated how metabolic states dictate epigenetic modifications but also offered potential therapeutic insights for muscle degeneration and repair. As we move into more recent projects, Dr. Wang discusses the advances in multiplexed spatial proteomics and the insights garnered from a single-cell spatiotemporal atlas of muscle regeneration, which highlight the cellular heterogeneity in muscle tissue. He describes the use of novel computational tools, including neural networks, to uncover the regulatory mechanisms underlying stem cell function, particularly how prostaglandin signalling informs the regeneration process and how age impacts stem cell efficacy. The episode then wraps up with an engaging dialogue about the future implications of Dr. Wang’s work in addressing age-related muscle degradation and broader applications in regenerative medicine. References Yucel, N., Wang, Y. X., Mai, T., Porpiglia, E., Lund, P. J., Markov, G., Garcia, B. A., Bendall, S. C., Angelo, M., & Blau, H. M. (2019). Glucose Metabolism Drives Histone Acetylation Landscape Transitions that Dictate Muscle Stem Cell Function. Cell Reports, 27(13), 3939-3955.e6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2019.05.092 Wang, Y. X., Palla, A. R., Ho, A. T. V., Robinson, D. C. L., Ravichandran, M., Markov, G. J., Mai, T., Still, C., Balsubramani, A., Nair, S., Holbrook, C. A., Yang, A. V., Kraft, P. E., Su, S., Burns, D. M., Yucel, N. D., Qi, L. S., Kundaje, A., & Blau, H. M. (2025). Multiomic profiling reveals that prostaglandin E2 reverses aged muscle stem cell dysfunction, leading to increased regeneration and strength. Cell Stem Cell, 32(7), 1154-1169.e9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stem.2025.05.012 Related Episodes Stem Cell Transcriptional Regulation in Naive vs. Primed Pluripotency (Christa Buecker) The Effect of Mechanotransduction on Chromatin Structure and Transcription in Stem Cells (Sara Wickström) Epigenetic Regulation of Stem Cell Self-Renewal and Differentiation (Peggy Goodell) Contact Epigenetics Podcast on Mastodon Epigenetics Podcast on Bluesky Dr. Stefan Dillinger on LinkedIn Active Motif on LinkedIn Active Motif on Bluesky Email: [email protected]

In this episode of the Epigenetics Podcast, we talked with Mitch Guttman from Caltec about ChIP-DIP (ChIP-Done In Parallel). ChIP-DIP is a newly developed approach for high-resolution protein–DNA interaction mapping. The method uses antibody-guided isolation of denaturant-insoluble protein–DNA complexes, resulting in substantially improved specificity and peak definition compared with conventional ChIP-seq. We explore why denaturation resistance is central to the workflow, how the method performs across transcription factors, chromatin regulators, and histone marks, and what experimental parameters determine its success. The conversation also covers current limitations, practical adoption details, and perspectives on how ChIP-DIP fits into the broader landscape of chromatin profiling technologies. References Perez, A. A., Goronzy, I. N., Blanco, M. R., Yeh, B. T., Guo, J. K., Lopes, C. S., Ettlin, O., Burr, A., & Guttman, M. (2024). ChIP-DIP maps binding of hundreds of proteins to DNA simultaneously and identifies diverse gene regulatory elements. Nature genetics, 56(12), 2827–2841. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41588-024-02000-5 Ramani, V. Split-pool barcoding serves up an epigenomic smorgasbord. Nat Genet 56, 2596–2597 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41588-024-01980-8 Related Episodes Split-Pool Recognition of Interactions by Tag Extension (SPRITE) (Mitch Guttman) Contact Epigenetics Podcast on Mastodon Epigenetics Podcast on Bluesky Dr. Stefan Dillinger on LinkedIn Active Motif on LinkedIn Active Motif on Bluesky Email: [email protected]

In this episode of the Epigenetics Podcast, we talked with Fides Zenk from the École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne about her work on transgenerational inheritance in Drosophila and brain organoids for human development insights. Dr. Zenk begins by sharing her journey into the field of biology, revealing her childhood fascination with nature and the intricate details of plant development. Her transition from an interest in ecology to a deep dive into molecular biology and gene regulation lays the groundwork for understanding her current research focus. We explore how her early experiences continue to shape her scientific curiosity, particularly her passion for studying cellular changes over time during embryonic development. As the conversation progresses, Dr. Zenk paints a vivid picture of her work at EPFL, where she combines functional genomics, chromatin profiling, and molecular biology techniques. She elaborates on her initial research during her PhD with Nicola Iovino, where she investigated the transgenerational inheritance of histone modifications in Drosophila. This discussion includes fascinating insights into how histone modifications can carry information across generations and their implications in gene expression regulation during early embryonic stages. Dr. Zenk also provides a glimpse into her postdoctoral work with Barbara Treutlein, where she shifted focus to human models and quantitative analysis using brain organoids. This segment of the episode reveals her commitment to translating molecular mechanisms to human health, especially in understanding the intricacies of brain development and neurogenesis. She describes how her team mapped dynamic changes in histone modifications during critical developmental stages, integrating various data modalities to build an intricate developmental atlas.   References Zenk F, Loeser E, Schiavo R, et al. Germ line-inherited H3K27me3 restricts enhancer function during maternal-to-zygotic transition. Science (New York, N.Y.). 2017 Jul;357(6347):212-216. DOI: 10.1126/science.aam5339. PMID: 28706074. Zenk F, Zhan Y, Kos P, et al. HP1 drives de novo 3D genome reorganization in early Drosophila embryos. Nature. 2021 May;593(7858):289-293. DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-03460-z. PMID: 33854237; PMCID: PMC8116211. Zenk F, Fleck JS, Jansen SMJ, et al. Single-cell epigenomic reconstruction of developmental trajectories from pluripotency in human neural organoid systems. Nature Neuroscience. 2024 Jul;27(7):1376-1386. DOI: 10.1038/s41593-024-01652-0. PMID: 38914828; PMCID: PMC11239525. Related Episodes The Role of Small RNAs in Transgenerational Inheritance in C. elegans (Oded Rechavi) Mapping the Epigenome: From Arabidopsis to the Human Brain (Joseph Ecker) Contact Epigenetics Podcast on Mastodon Epigenetics Podcast on Bluesky Dr. Stefan Dillinger on LinkedIn Active Motif on LinkedIn Active Motif on Bluesky Email: [email protected]

In this episode of the Epigenetics Podcast, we talked with Anders Sejr Hansen from MIT about his work on the impact of 3D genome structures on gene expression, the roles of proteins like CTCF and cohesin, and advanced techniques like Region Capture Micro-C for mapping genome organisation. Dr. Sejr Hansen introduces his research focusing on the relationship between three-dimensional genome structure and function, specifically how these structures can influence gene expression. He elaborates on the importance of transcription factors and the role of looping structures in gene regulation, emphasizing the implications of his work for understanding gene functionality in the context of both development and disease. The conversation then shifts to discussing loop extrusion and the factors affecting loop stability, primarily CTCF and cohesin. Dr. Sejr Hansen highlights the dynamics of these proteins' binding interactions and how their speeds challenge the notion of stable looping structures in the genome. With a keen interest in CTCF's role, he explains how the protein interacts with DNA and the mechanistic aspects of transcription factor movement, alluding to research findings that reveal that CTCF and cohesin tend to form clusters which may play vital roles in establishing chromatin structure. As the interview progresses, Dr. Sejr Hansen details his transition to leading his own lab at MIT, emphasizing the continuation of his earlier work while expanding into new methodologies for studying chromatin. He underscores the importance of understanding not just the static structures of DNA interactions, but the dynamic nature of these relationships and how they influence gene expression. His lab's recent focus has included using advanced imaging techniques to assess the dynamics of chromatin interactions more precisely. The discussion then touches on specific findings from Dr. Sejr Hansen's lab regarding the relationship between genome organization and double-strand break repair mechanisms. He emphasizes how the repair machinery can affect chromatin structure and underscores the essential role of cohesin in facilitating effective double-strand break repair by keeping broken DNA ends in proximity. He suggests that loop extrusion might help prevent genetic material from diffusing too far apart and improve the efficiency of repair. Dr. Sejr Hansen also discusses innovations in genome mapping techniques, particularly the development of Region Capture Micro-C, which facilitates deeper insights into the three-dimensional organization of the genome. This method allows researchers to achieve significantly higher resolution in their analyses compared to traditional 3D genomics techniques like Hi-C. He outlines the technical process and the implications of their findings, especially regarding enhancer-promoter interactions and the surprisingly promiscuous nature of these relationships. References Anders S Hansen, Iryna Pustova, Claudia Cattoglio, Robert Tjian, Xavier Darzacq (2017) CTCF and cohesin regulate chromatin loop stability with distinct dynamics eLife 6:e25776 https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.25776 Claudia Cattoglio, Iryna Pustova, Nike Walther, Jaclyn J Ho, Merle Hantsche-Grininger, Carla J Inouye, M Julius Hossain, Gina M Dailey, Jan Ellenberg, Xavier Darzacq, Robert Tjian, Anders S Hansen (2019) Determining cellular CTCF and cohesin abundances to constrain 3D genome models eLife 8:e40164 https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.40164 Goel, V.Y., Huseyin, M.K. & Hansen, A.S. Region Capture Micro-C reveals coalescence of enhancers and promoters into nested microcompartments. Nat Genet 55, 1048–1056 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41588-023-01391-1 Related Episodes Biophysical Modeling of 3-D Genome Organization (Leonid Mirny) Unraveling Mechanisms of Chromosome Formation (Job Dekker) Contact Epigenetics Podcast on Mastodon Epigenetics Podcast on Bluesky Dr. Stefan Dillinger on LinkedIn Active Motif on LinkedIn Active Motif on Bluesky Email: [email protected]