Long distance transcriptional interaction in rheumatoid arthritis

We have developed methods (Capture HiC) to interrogate the regulatory DNA regions that are associated with rheumatoid arthritis, to determine their interacting gene targets. Expanding on this work by incorporating time-course analysis and measurements of DNA activity (including RNA-Seq, ATAC-Seq), we are now better understanding the functional consequences of genetic risk to disease.

Principal investigator: Dr Stephen Eyre

Biological clocks and epigenetic mechanisms

We investigate how timing mechanisms drive inflammatory immune responses, with a particular focus on how clock-controlled nuclear hormone receptor activity is regulated by polycomb/trithorax mediated chromatin modifications.

We also work on how the clock is coupled to seasonal/circannual timers in the pituitary gland, with a specific interest in how enhancer of zeste 2 (EZH2) regulates long-term dynamic changes in chromatin state to drive neuroendocrine circuits.

A recent project has extended this to studies of hibernation mechanisms in arctic ground squirrels in Alaska.

Principal investigator: Professor Andrew Loudon

Mechanisms underlying scarring in fibrotic diseases

We are interested in understanding how excessive matrix is produced during fibrotic diseases (e.g. affecting liver, kidney and lung) and how cells respond to the altered environment induced by scarring. Our work provides insight into the transcriptional and signalling mechanisms of fibrosis to identify novel targets for anti-fibrotic drug development and/or as diagnostic markers of disease severity and progression.

Principal investigator: Dr Karen Piper Hanley