Award details

Structural and functional nuclear organisation of the beta-globin gene locus in vivo

Reference	BBS/E/B/0000M120
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Dr Peter Fraser
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	Babraham Institute
Department	Babraham Institute Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	691,410
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/10/2004
End date	30/09/2009
Duration	60 months

Abstract

The DNA sequence of the human genome has provided a tremendous insight into our genetic make-up. However the DNA sequence alone has provided few clues as to how genetic information is controlled so that the correct genes are activated at the right time during development and in the proper tissues. We have found that gene regulation is extremely complex with multiple levels of control. Cells package inactive genomic regions into compact structures within the nucleus that may play a role in keeping the genes in those regions silent. Active genes on the other hand are relatively decondensed and highly mobile within the confines of a defined nuclear space. We have shown that individual genes communicate with distal genomic sequences that contain important regulatory information by direct physical contact. Futhermore, we have shown that active genes often congregate in discrete nuclear locations that seem to be important for their expression (copying of the information encoded in a gene into RNA). We will investigate the events necessary for the communication between genes and distal regulatory sequences and the congregation or organization of active genes in the nucleus. This information is vital to understand normal gene function as well as what goes wrong in cases where genes are deregulated such as in cancer.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Genes & Developmental Biology (GDB)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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