Awarded in 2021
Home Department: Bioengineering
Faculty Advisors: Polly Fordyce (Bioengineering and Genetics) and Lacramioara Bintu (Bioengineering)

Research Title: Understanding Sequence-Function Relationships in Human Transcription Factors by Probing Cofactor Binding in vitro and Gene Regulation in vivo

Research Description: Understanding how transcription factors (TFs) regulate gene expression is central to biology, yet we currently cannot predict how TF binding kinetics to both DNA and co-factors modulate changes in gene expression. Peter proposes a systematic approach connecting these molecular interactions with gene output: in parallel, he will measure the silencing capability of thousands of TF domains in cells using a pooled approach (HT-recruit), and TF:co-factor and TF:DNA binding via microfluidics (STAMMP). Combining these results, he will test predictive models of gene silencing to further understanding of its dynamics in biology and disease, and toward developing synthetic tools for gene control.