Karen Arndt, PhD

Using an interdisciplinary approach, we study the regulation of gene expression in eukaryotes through the actions of transcription elongation factors, epigenetic modifications of chromatin, and their interplay. Defects in these highly conserved factors cause widespread dysregulation of gene expression and pathological consequences in humans, including various types of cancer and neurological defects.

The Arndt Lab utilizes a modern mix of genetic, genomic, and biochemical approaches to understand the proteins that control gene expression in eukaryotes. To do so, we take advantage of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (budding yeast) as a powerful model system. Some Current Research Questions: What are the functions of the RNA polymerase II transcription elongation factors? And how is chromatin structure maintained during transcription?