Epigénétique et Destin Cellulaire

Unit retreat (Sainte Montaine October 2021)

The UMR7216 « Epigenetics and Cell Fate » is a joint research department supported by CNRS and Université de Paris. It was created in 2009 on the Paris Diderot Rive-Gauche campus to create a dynamic environment for research, teaching and training in epigenetics research, focusing on mechanistic understanding of processes that govern cellular identity or are altered in disease states.

The department is composed of 7 teams  with shared interest in epigenetic regulation and in dissecting epigenetic mechanisms, broadly focusing on (i) DNA methylation and its machinery, (ii) histone marks and chromatin structure, (iii) short and long non-coding RNA as either drivers or readouts of cellular states, (iv) chromosomes and nuclear organization as determinants of gene regulation programs and (v) responses to cellular and genotoxic stress at the level of genome integrity and transcription. Research teams combine functional (epi)genomics, (epi)genomic engineering, biochemistry, live microscopy and cell biology approaches, creating a solid network of complementary expertise to decode key mechanistic aspects of epigenetic mechanisms, their dynamics, their implication in development and differentiation processes and their contribution to pathological processes.

The department has developed on-site technical platforms for Functional Epigenomics, Fluorescence microscopy and a Vectorology including a confined L3 tissue culture room, with state-of-the-art equipment and staffed with specialized and experienced technicians who assist the researchers to achieve the desired goals.

Members of the department are also deeply involved in teaching, mentoring and research training for students and young scientists at the heart of a dynamic university campus.

We are committed to support collaboration and scientific animation with other research structures on campus (IJM, BFA, MSC) and off campus and to promote a common scientific strategy at the interface between functional, chemical and structural biology disciplines.

Overall, UMR 7216 is composed of about 60 researchers, lecturers, post-docs, doctoral students, engineers, technicians and administrative staff. The combination with technical platforms and access to the campus scientific equipment and technological core facilities provides a working environment that fosters research excellence. Our department belongs to excellence scientific networks (Labex Who Am I?; DHU PROTECT).

Organization chart

The Direction

The Principal Investigators