Physiological Chemistry
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Andreas Ladurner

Molecular mechanisms of chromatin plasticity

In the eukaryotic nucleus most of our genetic information is packaged into a structure called chromatin. Whenever cells need to change their genetic programme, such as when the environment or growth conditions change, chromatin structure has to be actively remodelled. Our team is interested in identifying, characterizing and then exploiting novel molecular mechanisms that underlie this level of regulatory plasticity in chromatin structure. We are thus uncovering some of the fundamental mechanisms that govern the function of our complex genome and its ability to adapt to new environments. A focus of our group lies in the role of post-translational modifications (in particular, acetylation and ADP-ribosylation signalling networks) and of cellular metabolites in regulating the assembly and remodelling of chromatin, for example through the regulation of ATP-dependent chromatin remodellers.