Welcome to the Harrison lab!

Research in the Harrison lab focuses on how information encoded in the genome is differentially interpreted during organismal development. Specifically, we study the molecular mechanisms regulating gene expression and how changes in gene expression can drive cell identity. Because these processes are highly conserved amongst metazoans, we leverage the wide number of tools available to study this regulation in the Drosophila embryo. Current research in the laboratory is primarily directed at understanding the function of proteins that act at the top of gene regulatory networks to elicit dramatic changes in cell fate.

In our lab, we are committed to making science more equitable. We believe that the most innovative science happens within a diverse team and a supportive environment. To this end, we strive to eliminate systemic barriers to the recruitment and retention of underrepresented groups in science.

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News

Check out our paper on silencing of repetitive elements by the pioneer factor GAF now online at Developmental Cell. free access until Sept 8 2023

• Congrats to Tyler for being awarded the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Impact Award from the CMB program. A great testimony to his impact beyond the bench.

Recent Publications

•  Gaskill, M.M., Soluri, I.V., Brands, A.E., Book, A.P., Stadler, M.R., Vietor, K, Huang, H. S., Gibson, T.J., Mukherjee, A., Mir, M., Blythe, S.A., and Harrison, M.M. (2023) Localization of the Drosophila pioneer factor GAF to subnuclear foci is driven by DNA binding and required to silence satellite repeat expression. Dev Cell doi.org/10.1016/j.devcel.2023.06.010

•  Theis, A. and Harrison, M.M. (2023) Reprogramming of three dimensional chromatin organization in the early embryo. Curr Open Struct Biol. 83 – free access until July 11 2023

 more publications…