Professor Anne Ferguson-Smith
Stem cells and the epigenetic programme
Departmental Affiliation: Department of Genetics
Research
We are identifying and characterizing factors required for the targeting and maintenance of epigenetic states at particular genomic regions in stem cells in vitro and in vivo. In addition, we use genomic imprinting as a model system to study the programming of specific genes important for the properties and fate of stem cells. Recently we have been studying developmental contexts in which genomic imprinting can be used as a developmental switch to control gene dosage and the consequences for the stem cell niche when this process goes wrong. We apply genetic, epigenetic and biochemical approaches to mouse germ cells, preimplantation embryos, and stem and progenitor cells in pre and postnatal development, and embryonic stem cells in culture.
Additional links
www.neuroscience.cam.ac.uk/directory/profile.php?afsmith