A5007138980- Genomics and Chromatin Dynamics
- Gut microbiota and health
- RNA Research and Splicing
- Plant Virus Research Studies
- Plant Pathogenic Bacteria Studies
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms
- Toxin Mechanisms and Immunotoxins
- Immune responses and vaccinations
- Chromosomal and Genetic Variations
- Immune Cell Function and Interaction
- T-cell and B-cell Immunology
- Pluripotent Stem Cells Research
- Psoriasis: Treatment and Pathogenesis
- Adipokines, Inflammation, and Metabolic Diseases
- Tryptophan and brain disorders
- Skin Diseases and Diabetes
- Genetic and Clinical Aspects of Sex Determination and Chromosomal Abnormalities
- Spinal Dysraphism and Malformations
- Estrogen and related hormone effects
- Immunodeficiency and Autoimmune Disorders
- Zebrafish Biomedical Research Applications
- Bioactive Natural Diterpenoids Research
- Autophagy in Disease and Therapy
- Developmental Biology and Gene Regulation
Agency for Science, Technology and Research
2007-2021
Singapore Immunology Network
2013-2021
Genome Institute of Singapore
2007-2011
National University of Singapore
2002-2004
Identification of lineage-specific innovations in genomic control elements is critical for understanding transcriptional regulatory networks and phenotypic heterogeneity. We analyzed, from an evolutionary perspective, the binding regions seven mammalian transcription factors (ESR1, TP53, MYC, RELA, POU5F1, SOX2, CTCF) identified on a genome-wide scale by different chromatin immunoprecipitation approaches found that only minority sites appear to be conserved at sequence level. Instead, we...
Maternally deposited mRNAs direct early development before the initiation of zygotic transcription during mid-blastula transition (MBT). To study mechanisms regulating this developmental event in zebrafish, we applied mRNA deep sequencing technology and generated comprehensive information valuable resources on transcriptome dynamics embryonic (egg to gastrulation) stages. Genome-wide analysis documented at least 8000 maternal genes identified earliest cohort transcripts. We determined...
The human fetal immune system begins to develop early during gestation; however, factors responsible for immune-priming remain elusive. We explored potential exposure microbial agents in utero and their contribution toward activation of memory T cells tissues. profiled microbes across organs using 16S rRNA gene sequencing detected low but consistent signal gut, skin, placenta, lungs the 2nd trimester gestation. identified several live bacterial strains including Staphylococcus Lactobacillus...
Gut microbes live in symbiosis with their hosts, but how mutualistic animal-microbe interactions emerge is not understood. By adaptively evolving the opportunistic fungal pathogen Candida albicans mouse gastrointestinal tract, we selected strains that only had lost main virulence program also protected new hosts against a variety of systemic infections. This protection was independent adaptive immunity, arose as early single day postpriming, dependent on increased innate cytokine responses,...
The maintenance of pluripotency and specification cellular lineages during embryonic development are controlled by transcriptional regulatory networks, which coordinate specific sets genes through both activation repression. repressor RE1-silencing transcription factor (REST) plays important but distinct roles in (ESC) neural (NSC) stem cells. We investigated how these biological effected at a genomic level. present integrated, comparative genome- transcriptome-wide analyses networks...
The unique differentiation of IgE cells suggests unconventional mechanisms memory. germinal centre are transient, most plasma cells, and high affinity is produced by the switching IgG1 to IgE. Here we investigate function subsets memory B in production find that two CD80
Background The pathophysiology of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus is associated with abnormalities in endocrine signaling adipose tissue one the key affectors operative these disorders nuclear hormone transcription factor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ). PPARγ has pleiotropic functions affecting a wide range fundamental biological processes including regulation genes that modulate insulin sensitivity, adipocyte differentiation, inflammation atherosclerosis. To date,...
Identification of unconventional functional features such as fusion transcripts is a challenging task in the effort to annotate all DNA elements human genome. Paired-End diTag (PET) analysis possesses unique capability accurately and efficiently characterize two ends fragments, which may have either normal or unusual compositions. This nature PET makes it an ideal tool for uncovering residing Using approach comprehensive transcriptome analysis, we were able identify derived from genome...
Sequencing-based microbiome profiling aims at detecting and quantifying individual members of a microbial community in culture-independent manner. While amplicon-based sequencing (ABS) bacterial or fungal ribosomal DNA is the most widely used technology due to its low cost, it suffers from PCR amplification biases that hinder accurate representation population structures. Shotgun metagenomics (SMG) conversely allows unbiased but requires high depth. Here we report development meta-total RNA...
Candida albicans is responsible for ~400,000 systemic fungal infections annually, with an associated mortality rate of 46-75%. The human gastrointestinal (GI) tract represents the largest natural reservoir species and a major source infections. However, factors that control GI colonization by are not completely understood. We hypothesized cell wall would play important role in determining competitive fitness mammalian tract. To test this hypothesis, we generated systematic collection...
Abstract Background Numerous studies have demonstrated that autophagy plays a vital role in maintaining cellular homeostasis. Interestingly, several anticancer agents were found to exert their effects by triggering autophagy. Emerging data suggest represents novel mechanism can be exploited for therapeutic benefit. Pharmacologically active natural compounds such as those from marine, terrestrial plants and animals represent promising resource drugs. There are prominent examples the past...
Zic3 regulates early embryonic patterning in vertebrates. Loss of function is known to disrupt gastrulation, left-right patterning, and neurogenesis. However, molecular events downstream this transcription factor are poorly characterized. Here we use the zebrafish as a model study developmental role vivo, by applying combination two powerful genomics approaches – ChIP-seq microarray. Besides confirming direct regulation previously implicated targets Nodal canonical Wnt pathways, analysis...
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a T-cell dependent autoimmune disorder of the neuromuscular junction, characterised by muscle weakness and fatigability. Autoimmunity thought to initiate in thymus acetylcholine receptor (AChR)-positive MG patients; however, molecular mechanisms linking intra-thymic pathogenesis with autoreactivity via circulation target organ are poorly understood. Using whole-transcriptome sequencing, we compared transcriptional profile peripheral blood mononuclear cells from...
Abstract The production of IL-21 by T follicular helper (Tfh) cells is vital in driving the germinal centre reaction and high affinity antibody formation. However, degree Tfh cell heterogeneity function not fully understood. We used a novel IL-21eGFP reporter mouse strain to analyze diversity role cells. Through analysis GFP expression lymphoid organs mice, we identified subpopulation + , producing present only Peyer’s Patches. were found be polyclonal related − Patches TCR repertoire...
Identification of lineage-specific innovations in genomic control elements is critical for understanding transcriptional regulatory networks and phenotypic heterogeneity.We analyzed, from an evolutionary perspective, the binding regions seven mammalian transcription factors (TFs) identified on a genome-wide scale by different chromatin immunoprecipitation approaches found that only minority sites appear to be conserved at sequence level.Instead, we uncovered pervasive association with...
Abstract IL-21 is the signature cytokine produced by T follicular helper (Tfh) cells and vital in driving both germinal centre (GC) reaction formation of high affinity antibodies. However, degree Tfh cell heterogeneity function not fully understood. By utilising a novel IL-21eGFP reporter mouse carrying diphtheria toxin receptor (DTR)-enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) fusion gene, we identified subpopulation highly differentiated within Peyer’s Patches (PPs). This demonstrated...
Event Abstract Back to Molecular characterization of immunoglobulin (Ig) genes reveals that plasmablasts generated during heterologous secondary dengue infections and circulating memory B cells after recovery are distinct origin Ramapraba Appanna1, Xu Mei Hui1, Toh Ying Xiu1, Thavamalar Balakrishnan1, Srinivasan Kandhadayar Gopalan1, Francesca Zolezzi1, Michael Poidinger1, Leo Yee Sin2, Wang Cheng-I1 Katja Fink1* 1 Singapore Immunology Network, 2 Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Department Infectious...