Dynamic control of chromatin accessibility during development and in differentiated tissues

Stephen Methot, PhD

Postdoctoral fellow
Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research
Basel, Switzerland

Special Conference: This speaker is a candidate for the Research Unit Director position available at the IRCM.

In person :
IRCM auditorium
110, avenue des Pins O, H2W 1R7 Montreal
Wearing a mask is mandatory at all times

Zoom
URL : https://zoom.us/j/94078486709
ID : 940 7848 6709
Code : 785826

Abstract :
To orchestrate gene expression programs during development, multicellular organisms physically separate regions of the genome into open euchromatin and closed heterochromatin. This genome-wide organization is highly dependent on the cellular differentiation state and/or tissue type. Understanding how tissue-specific genome organization impacts cellular identity as well as how dynamic chromatin modifications and accessibility drive robust animal development remain essential unresolved questions in biology. Using the model organism C. elegans, I have begun to gain mechanistic insight into these problems at the cell, tissue, and organismal levels. Specifically, I will present my work studying the tissue-specific regulation and function of the heterochromatic histone post-translational modification, histone 3 lysine 9 methylation, focusing on its role in muscle cells. Furthermore, I will present my recent efforts to use and establish C. elegans as a model system for studying the molecular mechanisms that dictate dynamic changes to chromatin during development by taking advantage of a rhythmic and highly dynamic transcription program required for C. elegans cuticle shedding and renewal (molting). Ultimately, my goals are to unravel fundamental principles that underly tissue specific chromatin accessibility and dynamics with the potential to identify novel therapeutic targets for disrupting or modifying chromatin states in disease.