Developmental and Disease Epigenomics Group

The group’s main research goal is to elucidate the evolution of epigenetic mechanisms controlling allelic exclusion, X chromosome inactivation and autosomal imprinting; and their roles in the development of the immune system and the pathogenesis of female-biased autoimmunity.

To achieve this goal, we employ and integrate cutting-edge single-cell transcriptomics and epigenomics technologies, flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, chromatin modifications profiling of immune cells from animal models and clinical samples, CRISPR genome editing, as well as multi-omics bioinformatic analysis.

Our research program aims to advance knowledge in the intersection of epigenetics, B cell biology and RNA biology, that are critical to understanding autoimmunity. The results will provide an extensive resource and further the understanding of female-specific epigenetic regulation of normal B cell development and pathogenesis of autoimmunity, addressing significant unanswered questions in immunology and epigenetics.

In addition to fundamental discoveries, the group aims to provide rationale for the improvement of autoimmune disease biomarkers by combing newly discovered epigenetic alterations with autoantibody tests and genetic mutations.