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Epigenetics and Chromatin in Memory and Brain Disorders

Mutations in genes encoding proteins that regulate chromatin structure are one of the most frequent causes of neurodevelopmental disorders, like Autism and Intellectual Disability. We have very limited knowledge about how disrupted chromatin regulation can impact brain function. The main goals of the Kramer lab are: 1) To understand the role of epigenetics and chromatin in regulation of learning and memory. 2) To reveal the disease mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental disorders that are caused by disrupted chromatin regulation.

Drosophila courtship memory and the memory induced transcriptome

Conditioned courtship suppression in Drosophila melanogaster

Raun et al. 2021 Journal of Neurogenetics

Mushroom body specific transcriptome analysis reveals dynamic regulation of learning and memory genes after acquisition of long-term courtship memory.

Jones et al. 2018 G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics

Drosophila courtship conditioning as a measure of learning and memory. 

Koemans et al.  2017, JOVE

Epigenetic regulation of stress response by G9a

The epigenetic regulator G9a attenuates stress-induced resistance and metabolic transcriptional programs across different stressors and species. 

Riahi et al. (2021), BMC Biology

The histone methyltransferase G9a regulates tolerance to oxidative stress-induced energy consumption.

Riahi et al. (2019) PLoS Biology

Identification and functional characterization of a novel chromatin related disease genes

Characterization of SETD1A haploinsufficiency in humans and Drosophila defines a novel neurodevelopmental syndrome.

Kummeling et al. (2020). Molecular Psychiatry

A Syndromic Neurodevelopmental Disorder Caused by Mutations in SMARCD1, a Core SWI/SNF Subunit Needed for Context-Dependent Neuronal Gene Regulation in Flies.

Nixon et al. (2019) American Journal of Human Genetics. 104(4): 596-610.

Individual components of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex have distinct roles in memory neurons of the Drosophila mushroom body.

Chubak et al. (2019) Disease Models and Mechanisms

Functional Convergence of Histone Methyltransferases EHMT1 and KMT2C Involved in Intellectual Disability and Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Koemans et al. (2017) PLoS Genetics

Contact
Information

Jamie  M. Kramer (Ph.D.)

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Faculty of Medicine

Dalhousie University 

5850 College St.

Sir Charles Tupper Medical Building, Room 10M

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

B3H4R2

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