Context Dependent Gene Expression: Causes, Consequences, and Constraints

GBC Lead Candidate: Dr. Richard Meisel, Associate Professor, University of Houston

Abstract: 

All organisms possess a single genome yet produce different cell types throughout development and respond to changes in their environments. In addition, males and females have different phenotypes despite sharing nearly identical genomes. This cellular and phenotypic variation arises largely through changes in gene expression across contexts. This talk will explore the mechanisms underlying differential regulation of gene expression, the evolutionary pressures that drive context-dependent regulation, and the constraints that prevent the evolution of context-dependent expression.