Our team explores genetic circuitry that integrates the JAK-STAT signaling pathway with other transcription factors and chromatin modeling in the process of mammary development during pregnancy. Using traditional and cell-specific gene knock-out mice, researchers in LGP have discovered that cytokine-STAT5 signaling is essential for the development and function of several distinct cell types, including mammary alveolar progenitors and the luminal compartment.
Current research focuses on the question how generic transcription factors, such as STAT5 and NF1, control specific developmental programs in mammary epithelium and other cell types. Emphasis is on understanding the role of chromatin modifications and modeling in the specific cell-specific activation and repression of genetic programs.
To address these questions we perform genome-wide analyses to explore and understand the interaction of STAT5 and other transcription factors to genetic networks involved in mammary development and how these interactions are influenced by a changing chromatin landscape. We also use mouse genetics to interrogate the relevance of genes and gene networks that control chromatin modeling. Another focus in our laboratory is on micro RNA genes that are under the control of cytokines and STAT5. To interrogate their function we are deleting pertinent micro RNA genes in specific cell types of the mouse, including mammary and hematopoietic stem cells.
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