What defines the identity of a cell? How is the same genetic code used to build hundreds of different cell types with distinct physiological and morphological properties? These big questions drive our enthusiasm for deciphering how genetic and epigenetic information is processed into different gene expression programs.

The research groups in the GBE division each address a different part of this fundamental problem, and bring together complementary approaches and ways of thinking. We are also involved in training the next generation of scientists, both in the lab and in courses in various UU bachelor programs.

Research labs

  • Baubec lab

    The Baubec lab takes a systems biology approach to understanding the role of modifications on histones and DNA.

    Baubec lab
  • Vlaming lab

    The Vlaming lab aims to understand how productive transcription over long distances is achieved at protein-coding genes, and conversely, what drives early termination of RNA Polymerase II transcription at many non-coding loci.

    Vlaming lab
  • Uebbing lab

    The Uebbing lab studies how evolutionary change impacts enhancer function across mammals using computational and functional genomics.

    Uebbing lab
  • Bhardwaj lab

    The Bhardwaj lab combines quantitative (epi)genomics technologies with new data science and bioinformatics methods to understand cell fate decisions.

    Bhardwaj lab

Upcoming events

On November 15, the 21st Dutch Chromatin Meeting will be hosted in Utrecht. See https://nvbmb.kncv.nl/chromatin-2024 for more information.