Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 14, 2025

Prediction and Validation of Gene Regulatory Elements Activated During Retinoic Acid Induced Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation
Published on: June 21, 2016
Making connections: enhancers in cellular differentiation
Jennifer C Herrmann1, Robert A Beagrie2, Jim R Hughes1
1MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; MRC WIMM Centre for Computational Biology, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
Abstract:
Deciphering the process by which hundreds of distinct cell types emerge from a single zygote to form a complex multicellular organism remains one of the greatest challenges in biological research. Enhancers are known to be central to cell type-specific gene expression, yet many questions regarding how these genomic elements interact both temporally and spatially with other cis- and trans-acting factors to control transcriptional activity during differentiation and development remain unanswered. Here, we review our current understanding of the role of enhancers and their interactions in this context and highlight recent progress achieved with experimental methods of unprecedented resolution.
Related Concept Videos
Cellular Differentiation
A zygote is a...
Master Transcription Regulators
Maintenance of the ES Cell State
RNA Polymerase II Accessory Proteins
Forced Transdifferentiation
Artificial...
Somatic to iPS Cell Reprogramming

