Project Highlights

We are able to predict functional mammalian promoter sequences

We created HEARTBEAT, a model portfolio based upon genome-wide bioinformatic analysis and fuzzy logic. We used these tools to predict promoter sequences. Then, we synthesized such sequences. We found that promoters most closely matching the model predictions work, whereas others don't. Read more about these results on the "HEARTBEAT database" page.

HEARTBEAT describes the spatial distribution of Transcription Factor Binding Sites along a mammalian promoter. The diagram on the top shows this distribution for SREBP. HEARTBEAT also describes Transcription Factors co-occurring with a given TF, which, for SREBP, is Sp1. We placed SREBP and Sp1 Binding sites according to the predicted distribution and found only promoters which resemble the distribution closest to be functional (see small diagram). Other promoter sequences are not functional

We have developed a working biochemical synthesis method for the generation of promoters libraries =

We have developed novel standards for measurement of promoters in mammalian cells =