Key Laboratory of Epigenetic Regulation and Intervention
The Key Laboratory of Epigenetic Regulation and Intervention was approved by the Chinese Academy of Sciences on January 18, 2023, and is established based at the Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. The Institute of Biophysics has completely revamped the original framework of the key laboratory, selecting outstanding research talents dedicated to chromatin biology, epigenetics, RNA biology, gene editing, and epigenetic regulation of the immune system. Simultaneously, it has vigorously recruited international top-tier leading talents and young scientists with a global perspective. The laboratory actively integrates internal resources and collaborates with the Molecular and Cell Excellence Center to establish a 'Partner Laboratory,' aiming to create a new Key Laboratory of Epigenetic Regulation and Intervention.
The Key Laboratory of Epigenetic Regulation and Intervention focuses on original innovations in fundamental theories, methods, and technologies in the field of epigenetics, deciphering the mechanisms of chromatin folding and regulation, and revealing the fundamental principles of spatiotemporal-specific gene expression. It aims to elucidate the epigenetic characteristics and laws governing the diversity, plasticity, and memory of cellular activities in important systems such as immune, reproductive, and nervous systems during development and homeostasis. Additionally, it seeks to uncover the epigenetic changes, roles, and regulatory mechanisms in the aging processes of individuals, organs, tissues, and cells. The laboratory aims to provide original targets and new strategies based on epigenetics for interventions in major related diseases and aging. It will develop key core technologies, establish platforms for epigenetic intervention and manipulation technologies, and build a supportive resource system.
Major research areas
(1) Chromatin structure features and epigenetic regulatory mechanisms.
(2) Epigenetic mechanisms and interventions in systemic development and homeostasis.
(3) Chromatin regulation and intervention in aging and disease onset.
The current director of the laboratory is Researcher Bing Zhu, and the chairman of the Academic Committee is Academician Runsheng Chen. The laboratory has 26 academic leaders, including 2 academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 9 recipients of the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars (NSFC), and 4 winners of the National Science Fund for Excellent Young Scholars (NSFC).
Focused on "Chromatin Structure and Cell Fate Determination", the Institute of Biophysics has achieved significant breakthroughs in major scientific issues such as chromatin modification establishment and maintenance, epigenetic regulation of genetic information encoding and decoding, 30-nanometer chromatin fiber structure and its regulation, and epigenetic information transmission and inheritance. It holds a leading position both domestically and internationally. Several achievements have been included in world-renowned textbooks and recognized in events such as China's Top 10 Scientific Advances, the National "13th Five-Year Plan" Science and Technology Innovation Achievement Exhibition, the Chinese Academy of Sciences Innovation Achievement Exhibition, "Major Innovations since the 18th National Congress of the Chinese Academy of Sciences" and "Core Achievements of the 12th Five-Year Plan of the Chinese Academy of Sciences" The "Chromatin Structure and Epigenetic Regulation Research Group" was honored with the 2022 Outstanding Scientific and Technological Achievement Award of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, making remarkable contributions to the development of epigenetics in China.
The Key Laboratory of Epigenetic Regulation and Intervention aims to address major international frontier basic scientific issues in epigenetics, decipher epigenetic mechanisms of major diseases and aging-related organ decline, meet national major needs, and lead disciplinary development. It gathers a group of internationally influential high-end leading talents, leading the international scientific frontier in epigenetics, filling gaps in the national innovation system in epigenetics, and providing original innovation capabilities at the source for China to achieve high-level scientific and technological self-reliance in the field of life and health. The laboratory strives to become a first-class research institution and talent hub with significant international influence in the field of life and health.