CLICK HERE to Download the Exam Questions
Dr. Jorg Bungert
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
The focus of our laboratory is to analyze the structure and function
of the human beta-globin locus control region (LCR), a
powerful DNA regulatory element composed of five DNaseI hypersensitive
sites (HS1 to HS5) and located from 8 to 22 Kbp
upstream of the human epsilon-globin gene. The LCR regulates the
chromatin
structure over the beta-globin gene locus and is
required for high level globin gene expression throughout erythroid
development. Our previous work suggest that the individual HS
elements interact to generate a higher order structure, referred to
as the LCR holocomplex, and that this complex communicates in
a stage-specific manner with individual globin genes. We are interested
in the question of how the HS sites synergize to generate a
fully active LCR. To address this question, we use both genetic as
well as biochemical assays. In order to identify DNA elements
critically involved in LCR function, we are analyzing the effect of
specific LCR mutations on chromatin structure and expression
of the globin genes in human beta-globin YAC transgenic mice. Second,
in order to examine mutual interactions between LCR HS
elements, we generate HS sites in vitro, using chromatin assembly in
combination with erythroid specific protein extracts, and
analyze these macro molecular protein/DNA complexes with a variety
of biochemical and biophysical techniques.
Name
Title
Email
Jorg Bungert:
Principle
Investigator
jbungert@college.med.ufl.edu
Felicie Andersen:
Post-Doctoral Associate
felimus@ufl.edu
Padraic Levings:
Graduate Student
plevings@ufl.edu
Karen Vieira:
Graduate Student
karenfv@gmail.com
Valerie Crusselle: Graduate
Student
vjc@ufl.edu
Takeesha Roland: Laboratory
Technician
tlrstarr@ufl.edu
Boris Thurisch:
Visiting Graduate Student
boma-@t-online.de