Project Details
Projekt
The role of liker histone H1 in epigenome adaptation
Applicant
Professor Dr. Robert Schneider
Subject Area
Cell Biology
General Genetics and Functional Genome Biology
General Genetics and Functional Genome Biology
Term
since 2025
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 563285650
In eukaryotic cells the genomic DNA is organized into chromatin with the help of histone proteins. The linker histone H1 has an important role in modulating chromatin architecture. Whereas significant insights into the role of core histones and their variants in cellular adaptation and developmental processes have been made, surprisingly little is known about the function of H1 and especially of its subtypes. The differentiation of mouse ES cells into neurons is an attractive system to study the function of H1 subtypes in cell fate, cellular adaptation and the dynamics of the epigenome. The goal of this project is to investigate the role of a crucial chromatin component, the linker histone H1, at different stages of neuronal differentiation. The proposed experiments will enable us to explore (i) the function of histone H1 in pluripotent, lineage-committed, and terminally differentiated cells, each characterized by distinct chromatin organization, and (ii) the role of individual H1 subtypes in epigenomes that have adapted differently. Our findings will contribute to a deeper understanding of the functions of histone H1—often referred to as "the forgotten histone"— in the dynamics of epigenomes, shed light on how chromatin regulation influences development, and contribute to addressing important questions about the causes and consequences of neurobiological processes.
DFG Programme
Priority Programmes
