The role of chromatin in gene regulation

The role of the histone variant H2A.Z in chromatin structure, plant development and gene silencing

Supervisors: Dr Jean Finnegan (02 6246 5307), Dr Peter Waterhouse (02 6246 5365) and Dr David Tremethick (02 6125 2326)
Location: Canberra
Financial support: To be determined

Recent data suggests that variant histones play an important role in regulating both gene expression and chromatin structure. The histone variant, H2A.Z, is essential for survival of mammalian cells. It is believed to play a role in chromosome segregation, to be localized in heterochromatin and may be involved in gene silencing. Other data suggests that it may flank silent chromatin and block the spread of silencing into the adjacent euchromatin.

Using bioinformatics, we will identify Arabidopsis H2A.Z homologues and investigate their roles in gene silencing, chromosome structure, and plant development.