PROMOTING SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY BETWEEN INDIA AND THE U.S.
Cancer Research, Molecular Biology
University of Chicago
The White lab studies the coordinated action of networks of genes that control developmental, disease and evolutionary processes. We have particular focus on discovery of genetic factors that contribute to cancer development and progression, and on building genome-wide models of transcriptional networks. We use an integrated approach that makes use of genome and transcriptome sequencing, large-scale protein-protein and protein-DNA interaction analyses, measurement of chromatin state, systematic RNAi and CRISPR mutational analysis, and high throughput functional analyses of genomic regulatory elements. By applying our methods to both closely and distantly related species, we are investigating how conserved molecular networks control basic developmental processes and how variation in molecular networks translates into variation in organismal phenotypes. We are also particularly interested in the transcriptional networks controlled by nuclear receptor proteins in development and disease. Another focus of the lab is studying genetic regulatory programs that are highly conserved between fly and human.