Krassimir Joseph Yankulov

Biography

My lab studies the epigenetic mechanisms by which chromatin regulates gene expression and DNA replication. Recently we have embarked on the analysis of how and when genes switch on and off as directed by chromatin structure. Our primary goal is to link this type of regulation to the overhaul and reassembly of chromatin after the passing of DNA replication forks. These mechanisms of gene regulation and epigenetic inheritance are highly conserved between eukaryotes. Hence, the gained knowledge spans broadly to the fields of genetic disease and cancer, to parasite immune evasion and to the adaptation of organisms to the environment. Separately, I conduct research on education and student performance in higher level university courses. My lab studies the epigenetic mechanisms by which chromatin regulates gene expression and DNA replication. Recently we have embarked on the analysis of how and when genes switch on and off as directed by chromatin structure. Our primary goal is to link this type of regulation to the overhaul and reassembly of chromatin after the passing of DNA replication forks. These mechanisms of gene regulation and epigenetic inheritance are highly conserved between eukaryotes. Hence, the gained knowledge spans broadly to the fields of genetic disease and cancer, to parasite immune evasion and to the adaptation of organisms to the environment. Separately, I conduct research on education and student performance in higher level university courses.

Research Interest

Telomeres: epigenetics, gene repression and genome plasticity,DNA replication.