Epigenetic modifications, particularly DNA methylation and covalent histone modifications, play an important role in regulating chromatin dynamics and therefore have a significant impact on gene expression. The Zhang Lab has been interested in:
(1) how epigenetic modification-mediated dynamic changes in chromatin structure affect gene expression, embryonic development, cell lineage commitment, stem cell pluripotency/self-renewal
(2) epigenetic mechanism of drug addiction
(3) how dysregulation of epigenetic factors contributes to the development of diseases such as diabetes, neurological diseases, and cancer.
The long-term goal of the lab is to apply this basic research to studies of human diseases.
