The Ghavi-Helm Laboratory

In eukaryotes, the complex regulation of temporal- and tissue-specific gene expression is controlled by the binding of transcription factors to enhancers, which in turn interact with the promoter of their target gene(s) via the formation of a chromatin loop. Despite their importance, the properties governing enhancer function and enhancer-promoter loops in the context of the three-dimensional organization of the genome are still poorly understood.

In this context, my group will apply an interdisciplinary approach, combining state-of-the-art methods in genetics, genomics, and computational biology, including novel single-cell techniques, using Drosophila embryogenesis as a model system. Our results will provide a unique view of the functionality of enhancer-promoter interactions in a developing embryo, a significant step towards understanding the link between chromatin organization and transcription regulation.

09/2017  The lab is now funded by the ERC Starting grant!

07/2017   The lab is now funded by the ATIP-Avenir program!

12/2016   We are hiring! Come join this new adventure :)  More info.