University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill · BiochemistryThe Epigenetic Nexus
Brian D Strahl · Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Research Focus
Dr. Brian Strahl's lab at the University of North Carolina focuses on understanding how proteins that modify and manage histones—key components of our DNA—affect gene expression and chromatin structure. By studying the roles of these proteins and their modifications, especially in diseases like cancer, the lab aims to fill gaps in our knowledge about how genes are regulated and potentially identify new treatment targets. Students in the lab will engage with cutting-edge research at the intersection of biochemistry and genetics.
chromatin regulationtranscriptional controlhistone modificationsgene expressioncancer biologyepigeneticsprotein interactionstherapeutic targetspost-translational modifications
Research Aims
3AIM 01Reveal how histone-modifying enzymes influence gene transcription.
AIM 02Investigate the role of novel histone post-translational modifications.
AIM 03Understand the binding dynamics of histone reader proteins with nucleosomes.
Skills the Lab Values
chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)PCRWestern blottingcell culture techniquesRNA sequencingmass spectrometrynucleosome mappingbioinformaticsmutagenesis
Output against the department
Publications383top 13% of dept.53rd of 402
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations34ktop 9% of dept.36th of 402
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.