Section: Research

Postdoctoral Position Available

Lab Page Link

Jeanne Lawrence, Ph.D.

Academic Role: Professor

Faculty Appointment(s) In:
   Cell Biology
   Pediatrics

Genome Organization and the Functional Relationship of DNA/RNA with Nuclear Structure

Research interests of the lab bridge the basic cell and developmental biology of nuclear organization with human genetics, using skeletal muscle differentiation as one developmental model system. A major focus is the localization and functional organization of specific genes and their cognate mRNAs within the mammalian nucleus, as well as the potential compartmentalization of the nucleus with respect to components involved in RNA metabolism. Fundamental questions concerning both the higher-level organization of DNA and gene transcription within nuclei or chromosomes, as well as the transport and processing of nuclear RNA as it relates to nuclear structure, have been poorly explored. Recently, it has been shown that the nucleoplasm is compartmentalized: poly A RNA and splicing components are concentrated in discrete regions. These regions provide internal reference points with which to investigate the spatial arrangement of genes and RNAs within the nucleus, and results to date support a sequence-specific higher-level organization. Another current major focus of the lab is the mechanism of inactivation of the mammalian X-chromosome, and in particular the relationship of XIST RNA to X inactivation. This ongoing work provides evidence that XIST RNA may provide an important precedent for a long-lived nuclear poly A RNA involved in chromatin or nuclear structure and possibly gene regulation. Other projects involve the mapping and chromosome organization of cell growth related genes and their potential relationship to chromosomal aberrations prevalent in cancer or genetic disease. We are continuing to develop new biochemical fractionation and in situ hybridization approaches for investigating packaging of specific DNA sequences with respect to higher level chromatin loops and to examine gene packaging, with emphasis on specific regions of interest such as the trinucleotide repeats involved in Fragile X retardation.

Office: S7-137
Phone: 508-856-6015
E-mail: Jeanne.Lawrence@umassmed.edu
Keywords: Stem Cell Biology, Chromosome Structure & Dynamics, Cancer Biology, Nuclear Architecture, Medical Genetics

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Postdoctoral Position Available Post-Doctoral Positions Available Post-doctoral positions are available in research involving the role of nuclear non-coding RNAs in epigenetic modifications to chromatin in human embryonic stem cells, as well as gene therapeutic use of non-coding RNA. Contact Jeanne Lawrence by e-mail or at 508-856-6015.