Institute of Biomedical and Biomolecular Science (IBBS)

Genes and Development

Head of Division: Dr. Colin Sharpe

The Genes and Development group is interested in the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms of development and differentiation. Xenopus and chicken are used as model organisms, aimed at establishing the role of genes that are important in developmental processes. Developmental research themes include the control of gata2 and its role in blood formation, promoter structure in gene activation, retinoid signalling in neural differentiation, the control of neuronal identity and axon guidance in the early brain, and the genetic programme of muscle differentiation. Epigenetic themes encompass chromatin modifying enzymes and their role in gene regulation and the roles of histone modifications and primary sequence variants in cell differentiation, development and disease states.