Our central objective is to gain mechanistic insight into the regulatory functions of the non-coding genome. We use an interdisciplinary systems biology approach of genome biology, live-cell imaging (biophysics), biochemistry, and translational research to address the following questions:
  • How are chromosomal territories organized?
  • How do inter-chromosomal contacts facilitate gene regulation and genome organization?
  • How do non-coding RNA genes function?
  • How are functional elements of the non-coding genome involved in pathogenesis?
Cells of mammalian organisms harbor chromosomes that interact. Any alterations of these inter-chromosomal contacts can cause disease.