J.Bungert earned his Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics from Philipps-University (Marburg, Germany) for his work on the characterization of erythroid specific transcription complexes. In 1992, he joined Doug Engel's laboratory in the Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Cell Biology at Northwestern University, where he studied the developmental regulation of the human ßglobin genes. Dr. Bungert joined the faculty at the University of Florida in 1998. |
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We use a combination of genetic and biochemical structure and function of the human globin locus control region (LCR), a powerful regulatory genetic element located far upstream of the globing genes. The LCR, which is composed of several sub-regions revealing high sensitivity to nucleases in erythroid cells, provides an open chromatin structure over the entire globin locus and enhances globin gene transcription in a developmental stage specific manner. We use yeast artificial chromosomes, carrying the entire human ßglobin locus, to determine critical elements involved in LCR function in the context of transgenic mice. We also reconstitute the LCR in vitro, using chromatin assembly and incubation with erythroid protein extracts, to analyze in detail the structural basis for LCR function. |
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Associate Professor