Michael Steffen Kobor

PhD

Director, Edwin S.H. Leong Centre for Healthy Aging
Edwin S.H. Leong UBC Chair in Healthy Aging – A UBC President’s Excellence Chair
Investigator, BC Children's Hospital
Investigator, Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics
Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Social Epigenetics
Fellow, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research
Lead, Social Exposome Cluster, UBC

As the sole carrier of genetic information, DNA does not exist as a naked template in the eukaryotic genome; instead DNA exists as a chromatin structure amenable to the changing environment, especially during the sensitive period of childhood. Not surprisingly, many complex regulatory mechanisms act on chromatin to ensure that each cell expresses only the appropriate genes, duplicates its genome with high fidelity, divides only when required, and combats constant assaults on its DNA.

Failure in any of the mechanisms regulating these events can lead to a wide range of outcomes from altered developmental trajectories to complex diseases. Furthermore, a number of chromatin modifying proteins are involved in genetic susceptibility to diseases. The objective of our research is to understand the molecular mechanisms of epigenetic regulation in response to the environment. This is largely achieved through evaluating DNA methylation, histone variants, post-translational modification of histone, and nucleosome positioning. Additionally, genetic variation may interact with specific environments, imparting sensitivity or resilience, to ultimately alter epigenetics patterns and phenotypic outcomes.