“Targeted and genome-wide views into the mechanisms of transcription and it’s regulation in living cells”. John T.Lis

How do cells regulate gene transcription upon a stress? At the Cornell University, Jhon Lis is trying to answer to this question. Using the heat shock response model in Drosophila his group localized the position at genome wide resolution of the RNA polymerase II (Pol II) determining its location, density and properties. Sensitive nuclear run-on assays (GRO-seq and PRO-seq) revealed a general regulation of the gene transcription in response to a heat shock. The model of a Pol II that “pause and escape” could be generally applied to the transcription cycle that is regulated in homeostasis and development.