Sarah Teichmann
Talk Title:
Decoding genetic switches in T helper cell differentiation
Date/Time:
Thursday, September 9, 2010, 6:00 pm
Affiliation:
Theoretical and Computational Biology, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology , Cambridge University, UK
URL:
Sarah Teichmann
Abstract:
Gene expression levels are believed to be continuously distributed from very low to very high levels, with most genes at an intermediate level. We have studied the transcriptome-wide distribution of expression levels in mouse T helper cells using RNA-seq technology, and have developed a variety of ways to model the expected background levels. This is critical for definition of a threshold level of expression of a gene in a given cell type. In order to calibrate the RNA-seq expression levels in terms of molecules of mRNA per cell, we have integrated the RNA-seq data with single molecule mRNA-FISH experiments.
The results of these analyses and experiments show that many genes are expressed at > ~ 1 molecule per cell and that two major expression levels can be identified which vary by roughly one to two orders of magnitude. This gives rise to bimodal distributions of gene expression levels in cell populations. Analysis of histone modifications by ChIP-seq indicates that activating modifications such as H3K9/14ac and H3K4me3 are involved in this ‘digital’ expression switch.
Our findings have broad implications for the analysis RNA-seq and ChIP-seq data and for the understanding of the regulation of gene expression.
Please note:
Trainees are invited to meet with the VanBUG speaker for open discussion
of both science and career paths. This takes place 4:30-5:30pm in either
the Boardroom or Lunchroom on the ground floor of the BCCRC
Recommended readings:
Transcription factors
Structural Bioinformatics
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Introductory Speaker:
Anthony Fejes, PhD Candidate, Jones Lab, Genome Sciences Centre, BCCA
Title:
Harnessing Diversity: Leveraging a Database of Human Genome Variations to Tackle Genetic Diseases.
The upcoming 2010-2011 seminars
October 14, 2010 TBA
**Wednesday**November 10, 2010 Dr. Quaid Morris, University of Toronto, Canada
December 9, 2010 TBA
January 13, 2010 TBA
February 10, 2011 TBA
March 10, 2011 Dr. Andy Clark, Cornell University, NY, USA
April 14, 2011 TBA