Transcriptional control of stem cell fate

The goal of Brian’s research is to understand how control of transcription facilitates lineage commitment of stem cells in early mouse development. To do this he is studying how chromatin modifying, transcriptional regulatory multiprotein complexes influence gene expression patterns as cells undergo developmental transitions. This involves investigating how gene expression heterogeneity within a population of cells is controlled and how it influences cell fate decisions. Additionally he is studying how these chromatin remodelling complexes interact with the transcription machinery to influence chromatin configurations and to modulate transcript levels.