Hannah Long Lab

How multicellular organisms, with their elaborate pattern and diverse array of cell-types, arise during development from a single cell is a fascinating and complex process. Given that all cells in a developing human embryo share the same genome, differential utilisation of a limited set of genes is key for driving the observed cellular diversity. To orchestrate cell-type specific patterns of gene expression, non-coding regulatory elements called enhancers act as regulatory switches, turning genes on and off in time and space during development. Our lab investigates mechanisms of gene regulation in the context of craniofacial development, and how enhancer perturbation can lead to human congenital craniofacial disorders.

Hannah started as a Programme Leader Track (PLT) Group Leader at the MRC Human Genetics Unit in 2021. Hannah’s group leverages an in-depth knowledge of the SOX9 regulatory locus and developmental model systems to investigate how combinatorial enhancer action and 3D genome architecture contribute to gene regulation.