Deciphering (epi)genetic and (epi)transcriptomic gene regulatory mechanisms for controlling embryonic stem cell state maintenance, neurodevelopment and neurodevelopmental disorders

This study addresses some outstanding questions in the field of epigenetics and epitranscriptomics, for gene regulation in embryonic stem cells, neurodevelopmental disorders and neurodevelopment. These comprise of: i) the identification of cis- and trans-acting regulatory elements of Oct4 in murine embryonic stem cells. ii) the investigation of the role of NSUN2 (m5C methyltransferase) for the maintenance of the murine embryonic stem cell state. iii) the examination of the role of NSUN5 (m5C methyltransferase) in neurodevelopmental disorders and neurodevelopment.