Project Details
Description
The complexity of human brain development differs markedly from other mammals and is thought to underlie the
emergence of human cognition. However, the genetic basis for this complexity remains largely unknown. In this
project we combine epigenomics and gene editing to unravel the role of transposable elements (TEs) in this
process.
The project is based on our recent findings describing that the transcriptional co-repressor TRIM28 binds to TEs in
neural progenitor cells (NPC s) and mediates transcriptional silencing by depositing H3K9me3. Since the H3K9me3
mark can spread into the neighbouring chromatin, TRIM28-bound TEs have the capacity to serve as “hubs” that
mediate silencing of nearby genes. C onsidering that the composition of TEs varies much between species, this
mechanism has the potential to mediate species-specific transcriptional networks.
emergence of human cognition. However, the genetic basis for this complexity remains largely unknown. In this
project we combine epigenomics and gene editing to unravel the role of transposable elements (TEs) in this
process.
The project is based on our recent findings describing that the transcriptional co-repressor TRIM28 binds to TEs in
neural progenitor cells (NPC s) and mediates transcriptional silencing by depositing H3K9me3. Since the H3K9me3
mark can spread into the neighbouring chromatin, TRIM28-bound TEs have the capacity to serve as “hubs” that
mediate silencing of nearby genes. C onsidering that the composition of TEs varies much between species, this
mechanism has the potential to mediate species-specific transcriptional networks.
| Status | Finished |
|---|---|
| Effective start/end date | 2019/01/01 → 2023/12/31 |
Funding
- Swedish Research Council
