Understanding the role of CpG islands in gene regulatory element function and transcription

Despite every cell in our body having essentially the same genetic information, individual cell types can achieve highly specialised functionality through their capacity to utilise defined subsets of genes. In understanding the fundamental mechanisms that underpin this normal gene regulation, Rob’s research is focused on discovering how CpG island gene regulatory elements, which are associated with most human gene promoters, exploit chromatin-based and epigenetic mechanisms to specify normal gene expression programmes. This new understanding will provide a basis to explore novel avenues for therapeutic intervention in instances where CpG island function is perturbed in human disease and cancer.