2012

We deciphered how the RNAPII CTD phosphorylation cycle is established. We showed that the cycle is similar at virtually all genes and that a complex interplay between kinases, phosphatases and a prolyl isomerase are involved in its establishment.

PubMed

 

2010

We showed that the Rpd3S complex, previously thought to be recruited to genes via the recognition of some histone modifications, is actually recruited in two steps. Prior to be anchored on methylated nucleosomes, Rpd3S has to be recruited to the elongating RNAPII in a manner that require the phosphorylation of the CTD and which is regulated by the elongation factor DSIF.

PubMed

2010

We published a genome-wide map of gammaH2AX, therefore defining fragile sites in the yeast genome. We made the surprising discovery that transcriptionally repressed loci are among the most fragile sites. This has important implications in our understanding of genomic instabilities.

PubMed

2009

We showed that human H2A.Z in not only found in promoters and regulatory elements but is also part of facultative heterochromatin. We also made the surprising finding that transcription plays a role in establishing proper H2A.Z patterns. Research on the function and mechanism of these phenomena is still actively being pursued in our laboratory.

PubMed

2007

We have measured histone dynamics at the genomic level and found that nucleosomes in promoters are the most labile of the genome. We also showed that the chaperone Asf1 is involved in this process. This finding has important implications in the regulation of transcription.

PubMed

2006

We have made a series of computational predictions for regulatory modules across the human genome. These allowed us to discover general characteristics of regulatory elements and the transcription factors that associate with them.

PubMed

2005

We determine the genome-wide location of the variant histone H2A.Z and discovered that it associates with specific nucleosomes in most promoters. We also showed that the incorporation of H2A.Z within a nucleosome can influence its positioning. These discoveries had a great impact on our understanding of the function of this histone variant.

PubMed