Biomedical Graduate Studies

Description of Research Expertise

The Cremins lab investigates the link between three-dimensional organization of genomes and the establishment and maintenance of cellular function. We employ molecular Chromosome-Conformation-Capture technologies and high-throughput sequencing to create high-resolution 3-D genome architecture maps. We also develop and apply computational tools to (1) create 3-D models of chromatin and (2) integrate 3-D architecture maps with genome-wide maps of epigenetic modifications. Current work is focused on understanding the role for higher-order chromatin organization during differentiation of embryonic stem cells into neurons and during reprogramming of somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells. We perturb cellular systems using genetic engineering approaches to discover mechanisms regulating chromatin organizing principles. We also use computational and experimental approaches to investigate the link between 3-D architecture, epigenetic modifications, and expression patterns during normal neural development and in models of neurodegenerative disease. Our long-term goal is to engineer and manipulate chromatin structure to control cellular phenotype for regenerative medicine and neurodegenerative disease treatment applications.