Understanding how local 3D chromatin structure determines gene regulation and environmental responses

Nearly all cells in our body contain the same genes, yet cells adopt distinct biological functions. This is achieved by adjusting gene regulation to extract different information from the same genetic material. How can a gene be regulated differently when the DNA sequence is the same? While this question has been central to molecular biology for decades, our knowledge remains incomplete, delaying major advancements in human health, crop breeding, and synthetic biology. Here, I will test the hypothesis that local/fine-scale 3D chromatin structure provides a major regulatory module to the constitutive nature of DNA sequences, determining gene expression in response to environmental cues. Harnessing my recent breakthroughs, I will dissect important aspects of local chromatin structure using an exceptional plant model system and combine molecular, biochemical, structural, and computational methods. I will also investigate how local chromatin structures integrate the multiple environmental inputs of temperature and circadian clock, bridging structure and function. This focused project is uniquely positioned to tackle these important questions through multidisciplinary collaborations. This research will provide fundamental knowledge with far-reaching implications for human health directly, and mid-term potential to inform strategic applications in plant biotechnology and agriculture that impact human health indirectly.