Principal Investigator Anders Sejr Hansen
Project Start Date October 2020
How will we know if we understand genome organization and how it relates to transcription? The ultimate proof that we understand something, is our ability to build it. Therefore, our long-term goal is to reach a predictive and quantitative understanding of 3D genome organization sufficient to allow us to de novo design megabase-sized segments with multiple genes, domains and loops, that fold in predictable ways and exhibit desired gene expression dynamics and cell-type specificities.
If we can achieve this milestone, it suggests that we understand genome organization. But equally importantly, we may be able to correct genome misfolding in disease, design tools to modulate specific loops in a predictable manner and there are countless synthetic biology and therapeutic applications (e.g. gene therapy).
We will work towards this ultimate goal initially using simple systems and increase the complexity as our understanding grows.