Molecular neuroscience has largely focused on the functions of protein-coding genes, which account for less than 2% of our DNA. Repetitive elements (REs) – including viral-like sequences called transposons – comprise more than half the human genome, but limitations in sequencing technologies and other molecular tools have left many REs overlooked – so-called ‘genomic dark matter’. This is an important mechanistic blind spot: REs are dynamic stretches of DNA that can mobilise or duplicate, and impact transcriptional programs. REs are the main source of individual genetic variation. When their dynamics are not controlled, REs cause severe neurological disorders.
In the Lab of Epigenetics and Chromatin Dynamics (https://www.stemcellcenter.lu.se/research-groups/douse) we are interested in how this genomic dark matter is controlled by epigenetic mechanisms during human brain development. We have a particular focus on how different protein complexes package repetitive DNA into chromatin, and how chromatin influences transcriptional dynamics.
We have two projects running in this area, based at BMC B11, and space for 1-2 students. I am open to designing thesis projects that are wet-lab-only, or projects that combine lab work with bioinformatic analyses. For the latter, it would be necessary that you have at least some knowledge of how to run basic operations from a command line.
If you have any questions you are welcome to email me directly at christopher.douse@med.lu.se