Lee’s work was among the first to demonstrate the importance of RNA polymerase II transcription and noncoding RNA as epigenetic determinants at the centromere. She also pioneered the concept that telomeres in pluripotent embryonic stem cells comprise unique epigenetic marks, and discovered two new epigenetic regulators, ATRX and H3.3, at telomeres.

Already this year, the EpiC group has had a number of publications. In two two papers published in Nucleic Acids Research, they described novel regulatory mechanisms of histone variant H3.3, whereby elevated CHK1 phosphorylates H3.3Serine31 in ALT (Alternative Lengthening of telomeres) cancer cells that lack ATRX, contributing to the maintenance of chromatin integrity and cancer cell survival. They have further characterised the function of histone variant H3.3, demonstrating how H3.3 is targeted for K9 trimethylation, establishing a heterochromatic state enriched in trimethylated H3.3K9 at telomeres. This provides important insight into the role of H3.3 in controlling epigenetic inheritance at a constitutive heterochromatic domain. Overall, Lee’s research is enhancing our understanding of fundamental epigenetic mechanisms that regulate chromatin states, and their contribution towards the control of cell cycle, genome stability and the clinical progression in certain diseased conditions. We at AEpiA are excited to hear more about Lee’s wonderful work at Epigenetics2015 in Hobart next month.