[2018 Fall Life Sciences & IBB Seminar]

▶Subject: Epigenetic Regulation of Enhancer Activity Underlying Neuronal Plasticity

▶Speaker: Tae-Kyung Kim (Department of Life Sciences, POSTECH)

▶Date: 4:30PM/Nov. 16(Fri.)/ 2018

▶Place: Auditorium(1F), Postech Biotech Center

▶Abctract
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been increasingly appreciated as an integral component in gene regulatory networks. Genome-wide features of their origin and expression patterns ascribed a prominent role for lncRNAs to the regulation of protein- coding genes, and also suggest a potential link to many human diseases. Recent studies have begun to unravel the intricate regulatory mechanism of lncRNAs occurring at multiple levels. We have previously discovered that a novel class of lncRNAs, termed as enhancer RNA (eRNA), is dynamically expressed from functionally active neuronal enhancers. Unlike other lncRNAs, the induction of eRNA is rapid and transient, and tightly regulated by external stimuli such as neuronal activity. Epigenomic analyses in many different cell types unequivocally suggest that eRNA is a hallmark of functionally active enhancers. This feature of eRNAs has enabled us to investigate how multiple enhancers can be functionally coordinating with each other to mediate robust induction of target genes in response to various stimuli. We have also demonstrated that eRNA is functionally important for activity-dependent gene expression and neural function. Our studies further suggest that transcription at enhancers and eRNAs might represent a new layer of complexity in the molecular architecture of many human diseases.

▶Inquiry: Prof. Seung Tae Baek (279-2360)

* This seminar will be given in English.
Please refrain from taking photos during seminars. *