Research
The Center for Gene Expression studies the multiple aspects of gene expression in an integrated manner by bringing together laboratories that span the range of subjects encompassing the process.
The centre director is Jesper Svejstrup, who has many years of experience in management at world-leading research institutes whilst also running a successful research group.
The centre also has outstanding younger principal investigators Simon Bekker-Jensen, and Peter Haahr, a new CGEN group leader with expertise in advanced genomic screening technology and a keen interest in gene expression.
Gene expression is the highly conserved pathway used to selectively decipher the coded messages in our DNA. It is essential for making and sustaining cells capable of responding to differentiation cues, stimuli, and insults. Decoding of our DNA occurs via two distinct processes, transcription and translation. The RNA transcripts are initially made as pre-mRNAs which are then processed further, such as by the removal of untranslatable regions of RNA by ‘splicing’. The final product, mRNA, encodes information not only for the synthesis of proteins, but also for regulation. Despite decades of research into gene expression, our understanding of the proofreading processes and feedback loops ensuring that the ‘translation of our DNA’ is coordinated and precise, remains poorly understood. In short, a holistic view of the process is lacking.
The leaders of the CGEM’s research groups are listed below, with a short description of research interest and a link to the home page of the group.
Svejstrup Group study the interface between transcription and other DNA-related processes, such as DNA repair, replication, and recombination.
One of the hallmarks of human disease, including cancer, is the deregulation of gene expression: genes that are supposed to be inactive become activated, or vice versa. Another characteristic of cancer cells is their unstable genomes. They are unable to repair or maintain the integrity of their DNA.
Over the last decade, it has also become increasingly clear that the process of transcription itself entails a significant risk for genome stability. The mechanisms that ensure the safe co-existence of transcription with DNA replication and pathways maintaining genome integrity are still poorly understood.
We seek to understand transcription and the maintenance of genome integrity using a unique combination of biochemical, genetic and cell biological techniques, primarily in human cells.
Homepage for Svejstrup Group
(Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine)
The overarching aim for the Bekker-Jensen Group is to understand the molecular details of cellular stress responses and how they contribute to human diseases such as cancer and aging-related maladies. We are especially interested in understanding the mechanisms by which the MAP kinases p38 and JNK become activated in response to cellular stress insults such as ribosomal impairment, oxidative stress and high osmolarity, and how such signalling drives or protect against pathological cellular changes. Importantly, the same signalling pathways are crucial for inflammatory responses, adding to the relevance of our work for a range of human diseases.
Homepage for Bekker-Jensen Group
(Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine)
Haahr Group aims to identify and characterize new genes that play important roles in human disease by studying basic mechanisms of cellular stress responses and gene expression using a combination of unbiased proteome- and genome-wide screens as well as targeted molecular and cell biological approaches.
Homepage for Haahr Group
(Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine)
