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Over the last 10 years, Thomas Jenuwein (Senior Scientist, Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna, Professor, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Vienna) has been focusing on the functional characterization of mammalian chromatin. In a number of seminal discoveries, Dr. Jenuwein and his team identified the first histone lysine methyltransferases (HMTases) and showed that the selective methylation of histone H3 on the lysine 9 position (H3-K9) generates a high-affinity binding site for the chromo-domain of the HP1 proteins. These landmark findings established a biochemical explanation for the formation and propagation of silenced chromatin domains and for the functional organization of chromosomes. Together, they represent one of the most important breakthroughs in chromatin research during the last two decades.
Dr. Jenuwein is one of the world-leading scientists in modern epigenetic research, and future prospects for this field are truly exciting; he will continue with his research, which promises to provide novel avenues for analyzing some long-standing mysteries, such as cell-type inheritance, regeneration, and aging. |
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