Research in our laboratory is focused on elucidating the function and evolutionary conservation of mechanisms that govern genome organization and gene expression in eukaryotes. We pay special attention to biogenesis, processing, and activity of non-protein-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) and their potential impact on chromatin.

Our general strategy is to take advantage of the power of fission yeast (S. pombe) genetics to address fundamental mechanistic questions. Importantly, S. pombe has a functional RNA interference pathway and its chromatin shares many post-translational modifications and protein components with mammalian systems. This makes fission yeast particularly well suited for studying the link between ncRNAs and epigenetic genome regulation. Building on the findings from yeast, we investigate similar mechanisms and potential conservation in more complex model systems such as mouse embryonic stem cells, transgenic mouse models, and Drosophila melanogaster.

Our main interests lie in:

• RNA interference
• Trans-generational epigenetic inheritance
• Heterochromatin silencing
• Helsmoortel-Van der Aa Syndrome
• ChAHP complex

To investigate the aforementioned topics, we combine several complementary approaches, including forward and reverse genetics, next generation sequencing, bioinformatics, light and electron microscopy, protein crystallography and mass spectrometry. We have direct access to cutting edge technology platforms at the FMI, the Novartis Institutes of Biomedical Research, and the NCCR RNA&Disease.

Contact
Marc Bühler