Regulation of Hematopoietic Progenitors by de novo DNA methylation

Blood is regenerated throughout life by specialized stem cells. Normal function of these stem cells requires action of a DNA modifying enzyme called DNMT3A, and it mutation is associated with abnormal blood production as well myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and leukemia development. The overall goal of this project is to understand what aspects of blood development require this enzyme and how it functions, with a view to being able to modulate these properties for potential therapeutic benefit.