Gregory Fonseca

Transcription factors (TFs) are recruited to specific codes within the DNA called DNA binding motifs. However, one TF is insufficient to activate the underlying DNA. Instead, closely spaced combinations of DNA binding motifs work together to recruit collaborative sets of TFs. Together, these sets of TFs fit like a lock and key to recruit the necessary transcriptional activation complexes. Our lab studies the intricacies of DNA motif arrangement for 2 purposes (1) to understand the rules of the DNA language which dictate TF recruitment and DNA activation and (2) to define the extracellular inflammation which leads to lung diseases.