Overview

Our lab investigates the evolution of genome organisation, epigenetic gene regulation and chromosome architecture. We aim to better understand how genes are ordered along chromosomes, how genomes are organised and how tight co-ordinate gene regulation is achieved during organismic and environmental interactions.

Find our lab website here: https://genorglab.wordpress.com

Qualifications

2008    Biology/Diplom          TU Dresden

2012    Dr. rer. nat.                Leibniz-HKI and FSU Jena          

Career

2022 – 2023: Royal Society University Research Fellow, Senior Research Fellow and proleptic Senior Lecturer, University of Exeter & University of Bath, UK

2022 – 2023: Royal Society University Research Fellow, Senior Research Fellow and proleptic Senior Lecturer, University of Bath, UK

2017 – 2022: Royal Society University Research Fellow and proleptic Lecturer, University of Bath, UK

2012 – 2017: EMBO Long-Term Fellow and Postdoctoral Researcher, John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK

2008 – 2012: PhD research, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology/HKI Jena, Germany

Research group links

• Plant and Algal Biology

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Research

Research projects

We are investigating genome organisation and gene regulation in plant, fungal and parasite systems. Find our current projects below.

How do adjacent genes become co-expressed: Regulation of metabolic gene clusters (The Royal Society)

Here, we investigate the molecular mechanisms that govern the co-ordinate expression of neighbouring genes in eukaryotes. We use metabolic gene clusters, neighbouring non-homologous genes that encode the pathway steps in the synthesis of bioactive specialised metabolites, as our model system. Specialised metabolites have important roles in plant defence and signalling. We aim to uncover the structural chromatin landscape at metabolic gene clusters and define their functional importance for cluster regulation. This work will provide fundamental insight into the transcriptional control of neighbouring genes and will provide essential information for advanced and safe implementation of gene technology in eukaryotes.

Genome plasticity in 3D – chromosomal rearrangements in plant defence (The Royal Society)

In this project, we study if and how the three-dimensional shape of chromosomes orchestrates the response of eukaryotic organisms to their biotic environment. We use core genetic elements of the immune system of plants to study conformational plasticity of chromosomes during host – pathogen interactions. This study will expand our knowledge of how plant genomes function and contribute to an improved understanding of how plants respond to the ever-changing challenges in their environment.

Epigenetic control of strawberry secondary metabolism - a small fruit with a complex genome (BBSRC SWBio DTP together with Hilary Rogers, Cardiff University)

Here, we ask how genome complexity and higher-order gene regulatory mechanisms act on aroma and nutritional value of strawberries. We are particularly interested in changes to chromatin, gene transcription and the metabolome post-harvest and in cold-storage.

Analyzing transposable element integration patterns in the 3D genome of plants (The Royal Society; a joint project with Alex Bousios, University of Sussex, and Davide Michielleto, University of Edinburgh)

In this project, we study the proliferation of transposable elements in plant genomes. We are interested in how the constraints of three-dimensional nuclear and chromosome structure affect the integration of transposable elements into the host genome. This study will lead to new insights into the evolution of genomes and provide important information for plant breeding.

Understanding the Interaction Between Introgressed DNA and the Wider Wheat Genome (Bristol Centre for Agricultural Innovation and BBSRC SWBIO DTP, a joint project with Keith Edwards, University of Bristol)

Here, we study the interplay between introgressed DNA elements and the host genome. This project will result in a better understanding of modern breeding processes. 

The role of 'parasitism islands' in infection by soil-transmitted helminths (GW4 BioMed2 MRC DTP, a joint project with Vicky Hunt, University of Bath)

In this project, we will investigate the role and organisation of parasitism islands in nematodes. Our study will help us to better understand the genetic toolbox used by parasites to successfully infect the host.

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