Akihisa OSAKABE Tenure Track Associate Professor

Akihisa OSAKABE
Tenure Track Associate Professor

Researchmap

• Chiba University Institute for Advanced Academic Research / Graduate School of Science

• Keywords

  epigenetics, transposon, chromatin

• Professional Memberships

  The Molecular Biology Society of Japan, The Japanese Biochemical Society, The Japanese Society for Epigenetics, The Genetics Society of Japan

Research Theme

Elucidation of the regulatory mechanisms and mode of action of transposable elements for genome and epigenome editing applications

Abstract

Transposons are mobile DNA elements that comprise a large portion of the genome. The activation of transposons poses risks to genome stability and can disrupt the expression of neighboring genes. However, transposons also play a pivotal role in genome evolution by promoting genetic diversity and facilitating adaptation to environmental changes. In eukaryotic cells, epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation and post-translational modifications of histones regulate transposon and gene expression.

However, the precise mechanisms by which the host epigenetic systems control transposon expression and how transposons affect genome integrity and epigenetic modifications remain unclear. In this study, I aim to address these questions through a combination of genetic and genomic analyses using the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana and biochemical studies utilizing in vitro reconstitution systems. Ultimately, we seek to expand our understanding of transposon regulation and develop novel genome and epigenome editing technologies.