CSB Cutting Lecture Series: Chuan He, PhD “Chromatin regulation by RNA methylation in cancer”, Friday, February 28th, Munzer!
The Department of Chemical and Systems Biology Presents
Cutting Lecture Series
Chuan He, Ph.D.
John T. Wilson Distinguished Service Professor
Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator
The University of Chicago
Friday, February 28, 2025
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM (Pacific Time)
Munzer Auditorium
Talk Title: “Chromatin regulation by RNA methylation in cancer”
Talk Abstract: Over 170 types of post-transcriptional RNA modifications have been identified in all kingdoms of life. We have discovered RNA demethylation and shown that reversible RNA modification could impact a wide range of biological processes. We have also characterized proteins that selectively recognize m6A-modified mRNA and affect the translation status and lifetime of the target RNA. I will present our recent discoveries on chromatin state regulation by chromatin-associated regulatory RNA (carRNA) methylation. We found that carRNAs contain different chemical marks which facilitate recruitment of chromatin factors to shape local and global chromatin state. Some of these carRNA methylation-dependent pathways explain oncogenic roles of well-known oncogenes, which provides potential new targets for future anti-cancer therapies. I will present our most recent work on how TET2 mutations led to chromatin activation and leukemogenesis through carRNA methylation modulation.