The role of epigenetic inheritance in shaping the transcriptional and epigenetic landscapes of the aging murine hematopoietic system

As we age, our body's ability to produce new blood cells to replace those lost to wear and tear deteriorates. This age-dependent decline in our blood-forming system function has serious consequences as it causes reduced production of certain blood cells and compromises immune function at advanced age, which directly and indirectly contributes to many aging-associated diseases and conditions including cancer, poor response to vaccination and increased susceptibility to serious infections. Recent studies suggest that aging of the blood-forming system is mainly controlled by epigenetic mechanisms and potentially reversible. Dr. He's lab uses novel genetic and genomic tools to study age-related changes in gene expression, chromatin organization and cell function in multiple blood cell types. His goal is to identify causal epigenetic events that contribute to blood system aging and to develop new ways to prevent or treat aging-associated blood system diseases and immune deficiency.