Genome Organization and Integrity
We use functional genomics techniques, including genetic interaction screens and high-throughput cell biology, to study how eukaryotic cells transmit high fidelity copies of the genome from one generation to the next. Maintaining the integrity of the genome is central to biology, and is relevant to cancer, aging, and stem cell renewal.
The Harrington Lab investigates how cells maintain genome integrity through maintenance of chromosome ends, called telomeres. We study how factors influencing the telomeric region impact stem cells, normal cells, and tissues during aging, cancer, and other immunological disorders. We explore biochemical, genetic and epigenetic alterations in normal and cancerous cells across species including yeast, humans, mice, and even wild sheep.
Our lab studies the functional role of genome organization in cell fate decisions – at the single-molecule level & across biological scales. Our work bridges cell & developmental biology, computational biology, biochemistry & systems biology. We push the boundaries of high-throughput image-based spatial omics & bioimage analysis to answer fundamental questions and gain insights into in vivo chromatin biology.
In the Wilde Lab we study the molecular processes that drive cell division and the maintenance of genome stability. Using a combination of biochemical and imaging techniques, we exploit a variety of model systems, frogs, flies and tissue culture cells, to address different molecular questions related to cell division.
The Wyatt lab studies the structure, function, and regulation of nucleases. These enzymes are scissors that have critical roles in repairing damaged DNA and maintaining genome stability. We use a powerful combination of techniques in biochemistry and molecular biology, including protein expression and purification, enzymology, proteomics, microscopy, and phenotypic analyses of cultured human cells.