Dr. Emily Brookes

Biography

Emily Brookes is a lecturer in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Southampton. Her research focuses on understanding gene regulation in brain development and function, with particular interest in the role of enhancer elements in establishing and maintaining appropriate spatiotemporal gene expression profiles during cortical development and in the context of disrupted neurological diseases. She investigates the contribution of enhancer elements to neural development and function using molecular biology, imaging, and in vivo techniques in human and mouse model systems. Brookes has a particular focus on topological changes that enable enhancer function, including DNA looping and the movement of loci within the three-dimensional nuclear space. Her research has identified novel enhancers that promote the expression of BDNF transcript variants during neuronal differentiation and activity, revealing insights into dendritogenesis and cortical development. Additionally, her lab examines how early life adversity influences enhancer function and genome organization, with research spanning the impact of environmental factors on neurological vulnerability. Brookes has made significant contributions to understanding the epigenetic regulation of gene expression and currently pursues projects elucidating the mechanisms by which early life adversity shapes brain development.

Research Interests

Experience