Neuroepigenetics & Neuroepitranscriptomics

Neuroepigenetics & Neuroepitranscriptomics

Contrary to the long-held dogma that DNA methylation is a stable epigenetic mark in post-mitotic neurons, it is now recognized to be a robust form of plasticity in the adult nervous system. We have made significant contributions to the current understanding of epigenetic DNA modifications in the nervous system. The laboratory has delineated molecular mechanisms mediating active DNA demethylation in mature neurons in vivo. More recently, we showed that the neuronal DNA demethylation pathway plays fundamental roles in neuronal function, including regulation of basal levels of synaptic transmission and homeostatic synaptic plasticity. We have established a pipeline for high-throughput sequencing analyses, including RNA-seq, Chip-seq, Bisulfite-seq, ATAC-seq, and single-cell RNA-seq, and designed custom software programs for bioinformatic analyses. Currently, we are developing novel technologies to reveal epigenetic landscapes during neurogenesis and address potential functions of different epigenetic mechanisms in regulating distinct neurogenesis processes and neuronal functions.

Recent high-throughput sequencing approaches have also revealed a dynamic “epitranscriptome” landscape for many mRNA modifications in various organisms, including N6-methyladenosine (m6A), N1-methyladenosine (m1A), 5-methylcytosine (m5C), 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (hm5C), pseudouridine (y), and 2’-O-methylnucleotides. Currently, we are addressing the functions and mechanisms of various RNA modifications in the developing and mature mammalian nervous system.