Overview
The Molecular Epigenetics Group (MEG) of the Life Sciences Institute at the University of British Columbia consists of 8 researchers from 3 departments (Biochemistry, Medical Genetics, and Zoology) with a common interest in epigenetic gene regulation.
What is Epigenetics?
For normal development, cells must pass on gene expression patterns to daughter cells, in the absence of the transient signals that created the difference in the expression patterns. As all cells have the same DNA, the means of passing differences in expression patterns must lie outside the DNA sequence, and have been collectively called epigenesis. The most likely epigenetic processes include DNA modification, changes in histone modification, changes in chromatin structure, and changes involving non-coding RNA production and inheritance. MEG researchers use yeast, mice and humans to address fundamental questions about the roles of DNA modification and chromatin in gene regulation during development.
Who We Are
The approximately 40 full-time researchers include ~ 25 graduate students pursuing MSc or PhD degrees in Medical Genetics, Zoology or Biochemistry as well as the interdisciplinary Genetics program.
Seminars and Events
Wednesdays at 4:00 pm MEG hosts alternating weeks of ‘Wing Talks’ and ‘Chromatin Club’ – a series of research presentations or discussions of recent journal articles.
We also host a more formal epigenetics seminar series known as the ‘Waddington Lectures’. The series are open to all interested.
If you would like to subscribe to our listserve announcements, send an email message to Louis Lefebvre (louis.lefebvre at ubc.ca).
