Understanding the link between CpG islands and gene transcription

Every human begins as a single cell with a blueprint in the form of DNA that contains the instructions necessary to build a fully functioning human being. This cell grows in the womb, copies its DNA and divides to create new cells which then specialise to form the tissues and organs necessary for human life. This cellular specialisation relies on individual cells using only a subset of their DNA blueprint in a highly precise and controlled manner. Despite extensive efforts to study this process, many of the most basic molecular mechanisms that allow controlled usage of DNA information remain enigmatic.

I will investigate how CpG islands regulate the use of the DNA blueprint in cells.

These findings will allow the development of new approaches to combat human diseases where CpG islands are perturbed and will ultimately improve human health.