Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus · BiochemistryHistone Regulation and Structure Lab
Song Tan · University Park, Pennsylvania
Research Focus
Dr. Song Tan's lab at Penn State is focused on understanding how proteins that modify histones—the proteins that package DNA—regulate gene expression in cells. By studying the structures of these proteins and their interactions with nucleosomes, the lab aims to reveal mechanisms behind gene regulation, particularly in the context of diseases like cancer. This research not only deepens our understanding of fundamental biological processes but also holds potential for developing new therapies targeting gene regulation.
chromatinhistone modificationgene regulationepigeneticsnucleosomecancercryoelectron microscopy
Research Aims
5AIM 01Investigate the structural details of histone modification enzymes in complex with nucleosomes.
AIM 02Determine how histone modifications affect gene expression.
AIM 03Visualize the interactions between epigenetic reader proteins and their nucleosome targets.
AIM 04Evaluate the potential of targeting chromatin modifications for therapeutic development.
AIM 05Enhance understanding of gene regulation processes in stem cells and cancer.
Skills the Lab Values
structural biologycryoelectron microscopybiochemical assaysprotein purificationmolecular cloningcell culturegenomic analysisdata visualizationbiochemical binding studies
Output against the department
Publications201top 41% of dept.163rd of 402
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations9.3kbottom 47% of dept.212th 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.