We work at the spatial biology-technology interface to understand chromatin<–>synapse communication in the mammalian brain.

The Cremins lab aims to understand how chromatin works through long-range physical folding mechanisms to encode neuronal specification and long-term synaptic plasticity in healthy and diseased neural circuits. We pursue a multi-disciplinary approach integrating data across biological scales in the brain, including molecular Chromosome-Conformation-Capture sequencing technologies, single-cell imaging, optogenetics, genome engineering, induced pluripotent stem cell differentiation to neurons/organoids, and in vitro and in vivo electrophysiological measurements.

  • Our alumna Jackie Valerie – one of the inaugural members of the SEEDs program – defended her PhD at MIT in Jim Collins lab. Congratulations Dr. Valerie!

  • Jordan’s work in collaboration with the Joyce lab (High-throughput Oligopaint screen identifies druggable regulators of genome folding) is published in Nature https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-06340-w

  • Han-Seul Ryu passes their BE qualifying exam. Congratulations Han-Seul – way to go!

  • Kelly Feng’s work in collaboration with the Sarma lab (G-quadraplexes associated with R-loops promote CTCF binding,) is published in Molecular Cell https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molcel.2023.07.009

  • Thomas Gilgenast’s work in collaboration with the Walsh, Akbarian, and Brennand labs (Schizophrenia-associated somatic copy number variants from 12,834 cases reveal contribution to risk and recurrent, isoform-specific NRXN1 disruptions) is published in Cell Genomics https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xgen.2023.100356

  • The lab contributed to a review on the NIH 4DN common fund initiative (Spatial and temporal organization of the genome: Current state and future aims of the 4D nucleome project) – and it is published in Molecular Cell https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molcel.2023.06.018

  • We are thrilled to share that Brian Franklin is the recipient of 2023 Blavatnik Family Fellowship. Congratulations Brian!

  • Ali Nikish passes her PhD candidacy exam through BE. Congratulations PhD Candidate Ali Nikish!

  • The lab is thrilled to welcome Skenlanda Marseille and Christopher Yi to our group for our summer 2023 SEEDs program. Warm welcome Skenlanda and Chris!

  • Ali Nikish and Harshini Chandrashekar present posters on their work at the Gordon Research conference on genome Architecture in cell fate and disease in Ventura, CA

  • Ravi Boya and Thomas Malachowski speak on their work at the Penn genetics student seminar series

  • Kenneth Pham passes their CAMB qualifying exam. Congratulations Kenneth!

Our work is supported by the New York Stem Cell Foundation, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, the National Science Foundation, the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Institute of Neural Disorders and Stroke, NIH Common fund initiatives, the Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, and the NIH 4D Nucleome Common Fund Initiative.