Project Code
MRCNMH25Ex Flynn
Research Theme
Neuroscience & Mental Health
Project Summary Download
Summary
Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that causes physical and mental disability from early childhood. It is characterised by impaired motor and cognitive function and autistic-like behaviours. We have begun to appreciate that gene regulatory elements called enhancers are perturbed in RTT, but the precise mechanisms involved remain unclear. This project will investigate how mutations in the epigenetic regulator MeCP2 that are associated with RTT lead to changes in enhancer activity in human stem cell models. Using state-of-the-art sequencing technologies, the student will profile chromatin structure and epigenetic marks during neural differentiation and identify regulatory mechanisms that drive RTT.
Lead Supervisor
Dr Sean Flynn
Lead Supervisor Email
S.M.Flynn@exeter.ac.uk
University Affiliation
Exeter