Research
I have a strong interest in studying epigenetic processes underlying mammalian development. I focus on the process of genomic imprinting as model of epigenetic regulation, whereby a subset of genes is expressed in the parent-of-origin specific manner, despite identical DNA sequence. This differential expression is governed by the differential DNA methylation established in male or female germ line and then maintained during reprogramming occurring at pre-implantation stages of development.
During my previous post in Anne Ferguson-Smith lab I focused on the role of KRAB Zn-finger protein ZFP57 and its co-repressor binding partner Kap1 in protecting methylation imprints from erasure. In my current position with Dr Myriam Hemberger at the Babraham Institute, I intend to continue this work aiming at identification of novel players involved in the process of maintaining DNA methylation at imprinted DMRs. Towards this goal, I employ gene targeting approaches both in cell culture and mouse models to study the resultant phenotypes.
Funding: MRC grant to MCH (Babraham Institute)
Publications
1) Das R, Lee YK, Strogantsev R, Jin S, Lim YC, Ng PY, Lin XM, Chng K, Yeo GSh, Ferguson-Smith AC, Ding C. DNMT1 and AIM1 Imprinting in human placenta revealed through a genome-wide screen for allele-specific DNA methylation. BMC Genomics. 2013 Oct 5;14:685
2) Strogantsev R, Ferguson-Smith AC. Proteins involved in establishment and maintenance of imprinted methylation marks. Brief Funct Genomics. 2012 May;11(3):227-39 Review
3) Dickson J, Gowher H, Strogantsev R, Gaszner M, Hair A, Felsenfeld G, West AG. VEZF1 elements mediate protection from DNA methylation. PLoS Genet. 2010 Jan;6(1):e1000804