Gene expression is a highly regulated process which plays a critical role in determining cell fate.
As such, we are investigating the roles of promoters, enhancers, DNA methylation, and post-translational modifications of genes that influence cell differentiation and oncogene activation.
The Chai lab has used the transcription factor SALL4 as a paradigm to study gene regulation.
SALL4 contributes to leukemogenesis acts as activator.
Wang et al., “The next new target in leukemia: The embryonic stem cell gene SALL4”, Molecular & Cellular Oncology, 2014