Analysis of non-coding gene regulatory element function in the human immune system

• Honours
• Masters by Coursework
• Graduate Research Masters
• PhD

Non-coding DNA regulatory elements are essential for regulating gene expression levels within cells and genetic variation at these loci can disrupt normal gene expression control, potentially leading to dysfunctional cell states and disease. This project aims at identifying non-coding DNA regulatory elements that are active during human B cell maturation and investigating how these regulatory elements may be disrupted in immune-mediated diseases like autoimmunity or immunodeficiency. The project will involve the bioinformatic analysis of publicly available and newly generated single-cell transcriptomic and multi-omics datasets to discover new gene regulatory mechanisms that control gene expression in human B cells.

The King lab studies how defects in the control of gene expression are involved in human disease. Building on our recent detailed single-cell transcriptomic and epigenomic profiling of the human immune system (King et al 2021a Science Immunology, King et al 2021b Science Immunology), we are a small and dynamic team focused on discovering fundamental mechanisms of gene regulation in the immune system. The King lab uses both experimental and bioinformatic approaches, and team members are encouraged to develop experience in both areas.