
The diverse cells that comprise multicellular organisms possess the same set of genomic DNA as their genetic information. Maintaining distinct gene expression patterns in individual cells and accurately propagating these patterns through cell division is an essential process for an organism's development and cellular differentiation. In recent years, epigenetic phenomena—which do not involve direct changes to the primary DNA sequence—have gained attention as mechanisms that regulate gene expression.


Some of the most best-known epigenetic phenomena include DNA methylation, chromatin modifications, and RNA silencing. Our laboratory investigates how modifications to chromatin structure and configuration contribute to epigenetic gene regulation. To study these processes at the molecular level, we examine model organisms, such as fission yeast, ciliates (Tetrahymena and Paramecium), and cultured mammalian cells.
NIBB constitutes the Basic Biology Program of the Graduate University for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI. The University provides a five year Ph. D. course for those who have graduated from university and a three year Ph. D. course for those who have completed a master's course or equivalent.
National Institute for Basic Biology Division of Chromatin Regulation
jnakayam(atmark)nibb.ac.jp
Nishigonaka 38, Myodaiji, Okazaki 444-8585, Japan
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