Research group Group Östlund Farrants
Our lab studies the functional role of chromatin changes and non-coding RNAs in gene regulation; in the regulation of ribosomal transcription in response to cellular states and in the regulation of the human immune response to pathogens.
Group description
Ribosomal transcription is regulated on several levels and numerous signalling pathways phosphorylate factors involved in ribosomal transcripition, but recently the chromatin landscape at these genes and ncRNA from intergenic regons have been associated with its regulation. We are now elicidating the underlying molecular mechanisms behind the impact of alterations in chromatin and changes in ncRNAs exression on transcriptional output. In particular, ribosomal transcription is reglated upon proliferation and metabolic changes to meet the requirement of ribosomes, but it is also regulated upon different stress signaling unrelated to cell growth. Dysregulation of ribosomal transcription often occurs during cancer initiation and progression. We have isolated a chromatin remodelling complex, B-WICH, comprising WSTF, SNF2h and nuclear myosin 1, which is involved in activating ribosomal transcription in response to environmental signalling. We are now investigating the role of B-WICH in regulation of ribosomes in differentiation and development.
The immune response is complexed and depend on a number of cell types. The response to pathogens depend on previous encounters with pathogens as well as the individual genetic make-up.We are investigating how chromatin factors and non-coding RNAs are involved in the immune response to pathogens, such as malaria. We are now elucidating the innate response to malaria antigens and how the establishment of chromatin states, naïve, tolerised or trained states, influence the response. It is well-known that the genetics in individuals and even population renders us more or less predisposed to react in certain ways. We are studying two ethic population in sub –saharan Africa and their response to malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum.
Group members
Group managers
Ann-Kristin Iréne Östlund Farrants
Professor
Members
Sachin Dhanushka Kaluarachchi
Student
Mareike Polenkowski
Postdoktor med stipendium
Anaswara Sugathan
PhD student
Kanwal Tariq
PhD student
