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Epigenetics Podcast

Epigenetics Podcast

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Discover the stories behind the science!Copyright 2020. All rights reserved. Ciencia Ciencias Biológicas
Episodios
  • How BRD4 and H2BE Influence Neuronal Activity (Erica Korb)

    How BRD4 and H2BE Influence Neuronal Activity (Erica Korb)
    Aug 7 2025
    In this episode of the Epigenetics Podcast, we talked with Erica Korb from the University of Pennsylvania about her work on BRD4 and the histone variant H2BE, which influences synaptic genes and neuronal activity. Dr. Korb discusses the focus of her lab, which centers on epigenetic mechanisms impacting gene regulation in neurons. Her research primarily examines histone biology and its connection to neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disabilities. Dr. Korb expounds on the collaborative environment at UPenn’s Epigenetics Institute, emphasizing how the rich diversity of research topics fosters innovative ideas and projects within the community. Reflecting on her earlier work from her postdoctoral studies, Dr. Korb discusses her first significant findings regarding the protein BRD4. This work demonstrated BRD4's role in mediating transcriptional regulation crucial for learning and memory processes. She explains how disrupting this protein's function in neurons hindered critical gene activations required for memory formation in mice. This foundational understanding opened avenues for exploring the broader implications of chromatin regulation in various neurodevelopmental conditions. Transitioning into her current research endeavors, Dr. Korb reveals how she aims to expand her focus beyond Fragile X syndrome. With her lab now investigating multiple chromatin regulators implicated in various forms of autism spectrum disorders, she describes a recent project where RNA sequencing exposed substantial overlaps in gene expression changes associated with five distinct chromatin modifiers, each contributing uniquely to neuronal function while collectively demonstrating sensitivity to chromatin disruptions. A significant portion of the discussion centers around Dr. Korb’s unexpected exploration into how COVID-19 intersects with chromatin biology through a phenomenon known as histone mimicry. Leveraging bioinformatic tools during the pandemic, her lab discovered that certain viral proteins mimic histone sequences, which may lead to altered transcriptional outputs in host cells. This coincidental finding illustrates both the creative adaptability needed in scientific research and the importance of collaborative efforts across disciplines to uncover new insights. The conversation also delves into Dr. Korb’s recent work regarding the histone variant H2BE, initiated by one of her graduate students. She explains how prior research only recognized H2BE's expression in the olfactory system, yet her lab has demonstrated its significant role in regulating synaptic genes and memory formation throughout broader neuronal contexts. Notably, they identified a single amino acid change that influences H2BE's function in chromatin accessibility and gene transcription, emphasizing its potential evolutionary conservation across species. In terms of H2BE's role, Dr. Korb elucidates that its activity is integral in response to extracellular stimuli, particularly within the context of neuronal activation. Intriguingly, they found that H2BE expression decreases in reaction to long-term neuronal stimulation, suggesting a complex mechanism of homeostatic plasticity crucial for regulating neuronal activity levels. This research not only advances understanding of chromatin dynamics but also holds implications for neuronal health and disease mechanisms. References Feierman, E. R., Louzon, S., Prescott, N. A., Biaco, T., Gao, Q., Qiu, Q., Choi, K., Palozola, K. C., Voss, A. J., Mehta, S. D., Quaye, C. N., Lynch, K. T., Fuccillo, M. V., Wu, H., David, Y., & Korb, E. (2024). Histone variant H2BE enhances chromatin accessibility in neurons to promote synaptic gene expression and long-term memory. Molecular cell, 84(15), 2822–2837.e11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molcel.2024.06.025 Korb, E., Herre, M., Zucker-Scharff, I., Gresack, J., Allis, C. D., & Darnell, R. B. (2017). Excess Translation of Epigenetic Regulators Contributes to Fragile X Syndrome and Is Alleviated by Brd4 Inhibition. Cell, 170(6), 1209–1223.e20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2017.07.033 Kee, J., Thudium, S., Renner, D. M., Glastad, K., Palozola, K., Zhang, Z., Li, Y., Lan, Y., Cesare, J., Poleshko, A., Kiseleva, A. A., Truitt, R., Cardenas-Diaz, F. L., Zhang, X., Xie, X., Kotton, D. N., Alysandratos, K. D., Epstein, J. A., Shi, P. Y., Yang, W., … Korb, E. (2022). SARS-CoV-2 disrupts host epigenetic regulation via histone mimicry. Nature, 610(7931), 381–388. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-022-05282-z Feierman, E. R., Paranjapye, A., Su, S., Qiu, Q., Wu, H., & Korb, E. (2024). Histone variant H2BE controls activity-dependent gene expression and homeostatic scaling. bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology, 2024.11.01.620920. https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.11.01.620920 Related Episodes Neuroepigenetic Mechanisms and Primate Epigenome Evolution (Boyan Bonev) DNA Methylation Alterations in Neurodegenerative ...
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    37 m
  • Mapping the Epigenome: From Arabidopsis to the Human Brain (Joseph Ecker)

    Mapping the Epigenome: From Arabidopsis to the Human Brain (Joseph Ecker)
    Jul 24 2025
    In this episode of the Epigenetics Podcast, we talked with Dr. Joseph Ecker from the Salk Institute about his work on high-resolution genome-wide mapping technologies, specifically how the regulation of gene expression is influenced by DNA methylation, chromatin accessibility, and non-coding RNAs across various cell types and developmental stages. During our conversation, we delve into Dr. Ecker's contributions to the characterization of the genome of Arabidopsis thaliana, a project pivotal in the plant genomics field, where he collaborated on the early sequencing efforts that dramatically outpaced expectations. He highlights the technological advancements that enabled such efficient sequencing and how this foundational work opened new avenues for exploring transcriptional activity. We also discuss Dr. Ecker’s pivotal work on the comprehensive DNA methylation map of Arabidopsis, which he developed in collaboration with other researchers. This groundbreaking study established the links between methylation patterns and gene expression, paving the way for further research into how these epigenetic marks influence over gene regulation. He elaborates on the significance of transitioning from traditional methods to more sophisticated techniques, such as RNA-seq, and the lessons learned from sequencing projects that have since been applied to human biology. Dr. Ecker's transition to studying human cells is further explored as he discusses the profiling of DNA methylation in induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), revealing how epigenetic memory can influence cellular differentiation and development. He underscores the importance of understanding these methylation patterns, particularly as they relate to conditions like Alzheimer's disease and stem cell biology, where he examines potential applications of his findings in medical research. As our conversation progresses, we touch upon Dr. Ecker's ongoing projects that utilize advanced multi-omic techniques to investigate the epigenomes of the human brain, focusing on how DNA methylation and gene expression change with age and in the context of neurodegenerative diseases. He details the collaboration efforts with various consortia aimed at cataloging gene regulatory networks and understanding the complex interactions that take place within the brain throughout different life stages. References Mozo T, Dewar K, Dunn P, Ecker JR, Fischer S, Kloska S, Lehrach H, Marra M, Martienssen R, Meier-Ewert S, Altmann T. A complete BAC-based physical map of the Arabidopsis thaliana genome. Nat Genet. 1999 Jul;22(3):271-5. doi: 10.1038/10334. PMID: 10391215. Zhang X, Yazaki J, Sundaresan A, Cokus S, Chan SW, Chen H, Henderson IR, Shinn P, Pellegrini M, Jacobsen SE, Ecker JR. Genome-wide high-resolution mapping and functional analysis of DNA methylation in arabidopsis. Cell. 2006 Sep 22;126(6):1189-201. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2006.08.003. Epub 2006 Aug 31. PMID: 16949657. Lister R, O'Malley RC, Tonti-Filippini J, Gregory BD, Berry CC, Millar AH, Ecker JR. Highly integrated single-base resolution maps of the epigenome in Arabidopsis. Cell. 2008 May 2;133(3):523-36. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2008.03.029. PMID: 18423832; PMCID: PMC2723732. Lister R, Pelizzola M, Dowen RH, Hawkins RD, Hon G, Tonti-Filippini J, Nery JR, Lee L, Ye Z, Ngo QM, Edsall L, Antosiewicz-Bourget J, Stewart R, Ruotti V, Millar AH, Thomson JA, Ren B, Ecker JR. Human DNA methylomes at base resolution show widespread epigenomic differences. Nature. 2009 Nov 19;462(7271):315-22. doi: 10.1038/nature08514. Epub 2009 Oct 14. PMID: 19829295; PMCID: PMC2857523. Lister R, Pelizzola M, Kida YS, Hawkins RD, Nery JR, Hon G, Antosiewicz-Bourget J, O'Malley R, Castanon R, Klugman S, Downes M, Yu R, Stewart R, Ren B, Thomson JA, Evans RM, Ecker JR. Hotspots of aberrant epigenomic reprogramming in human induced pluripotent stem cells. Nature. 2011 Mar 3;471(7336):68-73. doi: 10.1038/nature09798. Epub 2011 Feb 2. Erratum in: Nature. 2014 Oct 2;514(7520):126. PMID: 21289626; PMCID: PMC3100360. Related Episodes Epigenetic Reprogramming During Mammalian Development (Wolf Reik) Single Cell Epigenomics in Neuronal Development (Tim Petros) Contact Epigenetics Podcast on Mastodon Epigenetics Podcast on Bluesky Dr. Stefan Dillinger on LinkedIn Active Motif on LinkedIn Active Motif on Bluesky Email: podcast@activemotif.com
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    44 m
  • The Human Cell Atlas (Sarah Teichmann)

    The Human Cell Atlas (Sarah Teichmann)
    Jul 10 2025

    In this episode of the Epigenetics Podcast, we talked with Sarah Teichmann from the University of Cambridge about the Human Cell Atlas.

    In the Interview we explore Sarah Teichmann's impressive career trajectory, covering her current role as Chair of Stem Cell Medicine at the Cambridge Stem Cell Institute and Vice President of Translational Research at GlaxoSmithKline. Professor Teichmann explains her unique dual appointments, a rare arrangement that allows her to bridge academia and industry effectively.

    As the conversation shifts focus to computational biology, she takes us on a historical journey from her PhD work at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology to the present advancements driven by next-generation sequencing and artificial intelligence methods. Professor Teichmann emphasizes that the landscape of biological research has evolved significantly, particularly in the realm of data-driven methodologies.

    The conversation then transitions seamlessly into her pivotal role in advancing single-cell genomics, where she discusses the motivation behind using single-cell RNA sequencing methods in her research on T cells. This technique offered unmatched insights compared to bulk sequencing techniques, allowing for a more detailed understanding of cell states and their complex interactions within tissues.

    A highlight of the episode is Professor Teichmann's insights on the Human Cell Atlas project, which she co-founded in 2017. She elaborates on the ambitious vision to map all human cells, likening the endeavor to the Human Genome Project. Through the atlas, researchers aim to create a detailed reference map that facilitates a deeper understanding of human health and disease. Professor Teichmann shares the collaborative efforts that led to its inception and the importance of international cooperation in scientific research.

    The discussion culminates with an exploration of the biggest scientific findings thus far from the Human Cell Atlas. Among the revelations, she notes the astounding complexity and diversity of cell types identified, particularly within the immune system, and the unexpected locations of certain cell types during human development. She also highlights significant discoveries related to COVID-19, demonstrating the immediate real-world impact of their work.

    References

    • https://www.humancellatlas.org

    • The Human Cell Atlas: towards a first draft atlas

    • Kock, K. H., Tan, L. M., Han, K. Y., Ando, Y., Jevapatarakul, D., Chatterjee, A., Lin, Q. X. X., Buyamin, E. V., Sonthalia, R., Rajagopalan, D., Tomofuji, Y., Sankaran, S., Park, M. S., Abe, M., Chantaraamporn, J., Furukawa, S., Ghosh, S., Inoue, G., Kojima, M., Kouno, T., … Prabhakar, S. (2025). Asian diversity in human immune cells. Cell, 188(8), 2288–2306.e24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2025.02.017

    Related Episodes

    • The Discovery of Genomic Imprinting (Azim Surani)

    Contact

    • Epigenetics Podcast on Mastodon

    • Epigenetics Podcast on Bluesky

    • Dr. Stefan Dillinger on LinkedIn

    • Active Motif on LinkedIn

    • Active Motif on Bluesky

    • Email: podcast@activemotif.com
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    47 m
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