Research project Nuclear membrane proteins in chromatin organization, cell differentiation and disease.

A large part of the analysis will be performed using our recently developed imaging tool (FRIC), which will be adapted to HCS (High Content Screeining). Using HCS-FRIC as read-out we will screen siRNA libraries targeting all annotated nuclear membrane proteins to identify those involved in chromatin organization. This is followed by detailed investigations to define specific roles and underlaying mechanisms.The four-year research project will be carried out by my lab and in collaboration with other labs in the field. We will use different tissue culture cell models and a variety of techniques including, siRNA, CRISPR/Cas mediated genome editing, DamID, ChIP-sequencing, HCS-FRIC and protein chemistry technology. Mass spectrometry and ChIP-sequencing will be performed in collaboration with experts on these techniques.The outcome of our studies increases our understanding of the diverse and complex organization of proteins in the nuclear envelope, which orchestrates many new fundamental cell functions than previously realized. Our focus on cell differentiation and chromatin organization has impact on understanding and preventing loss of heterochromatin in aging and disease.