Dynamic Transcription Regulation, Chromatin Dynamics, and Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs)

I began my scientific career in the field of environmental mutagenesis. My work on DNA damage and repair at the single cell level motivated me to further explore single cell biology. As a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. James McNally's lab at NCI I investigated the molecular mechanisms and functions of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) rapid exchange with regulatory elements in living cells. After joining Dr. Gordon Hager's laboratory I became interested in dynamic transcription regulation in response to the naturally occurring transient activating signals. Using single cell analyses in a powerful combination with genome-wide approaches I have been investigating the effects of the ultradian (pulsatile) glucocorticoid release patterns on GR/chromatin interactions, chromatin accessibility, long-range interactions, and transcription regulation. These studies have significant implications for corticosteroid function in vivo and for steroid therapies in the clinic. More recently, reconnecting with my interest in the environmental sciences, I have been working on the development and implementation of a high-throughput, automated, cell-based screening protocol for the detection of biologically active endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in environmental samples. Considering that exposure to EDCs has many deleterious effects, including abnormal breast development as well as an increased incidence of prostate and thyroid cancers, the efficient screening and elimination of EDCs from the environment could substantially reduce the risk of these ailments.