A sought-after genetic engineering advisor, Thomas Brutnell is the founder of Viridis Genomics Consulting, LLC. Thomas brutnell led a team of scientists that pioneered the application of dCas9 in initiating selective transcription.
In mammalian systems, there is an unexpected level of diversity in the selective response of transcription factor and chromatin structure in the regulation of inflammatory genes. In tissues capable of exhibiting immune responses, inflammation occurs as a form of defense against host irritants, such as the presence of a foreign microbe. This process requires the activation of suites of genes (which triggers a diverse range of physiological functions) through post-transcriptional and transcriptional mechanisms. Some of these functions, including antimicrobial peptide synthesis, directly target infectious microorganisms. Other functions, including proinflammatory cytokine synthesis, activate endothelial cells and direct particular cells of the host immune system to the site of infection.
After finding that proinflammatory genes are induced at the transcription level, scientists were inspired to identify transcription factors that regulate induction. Today, numerous post-translation-induced transcription factors are now known, and their role in regulating both primary and secondary responses to inflammatory stimuli are well understood. Often, the post-translational mechanism of these translation factors involves direct dephosphorylation or phosphorylation of the transcription factors themselves or inhibitory proteins.
In mammalian systems, there is an unexpected level of diversity in the selective response of transcription factor and chromatin structure in the regulation of inflammatory genes. In tissues capable of exhibiting immune responses, inflammation occurs as a form of defense against host irritants, such as the presence of a foreign microbe. This process requires the activation of suites of genes (which triggers a diverse range of physiological functions) through post-transcriptional and transcriptional mechanisms. Some of these functions, including antimicrobial peptide synthesis, directly target infectious microorganisms. Other functions, including proinflammatory cytokine synthesis, activate endothelial cells and direct particular cells of the host immune system to the site of infection.
After finding that proinflammatory genes are induced at the transcription level, scientists were inspired to identify transcription factors that regulate induction. Today, numerous post-translation-induced transcription factors are now known, and their role in regulating both primary and secondary responses to inflammatory stimuli are well understood. Often, the post-translational mechanism of these translation factors involves direct dephosphorylation or phosphorylation of the transcription factors themselves or inhibitory proteins.
