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Jelena Scepanovic's research focuses on the evolution of gene regulatory mechanisms in metazoans, a diverse and successful group of multicellular organisms. Her work aims to understand how genes are integrated into gene regulatory networks that perform distinct functions within tightly regulated contexts, a concept referred to as pleiotropy. She investigates the modifications to the genetic program that accompany the advent of specialized promoters, enhancers, and repressors. Key questions addressed include the mechanisms by which different animal lineages regulate gene expression, the changes in chromatin organization that facilitate these regulatory changes, and how individual gene expression programs contribute to distinct phenotypes. With a background in systems genomics, she employs single-cell RNA-sequencing approaches to measure gene deployment in developmental contexts, aiding in the design of reporters for tracking cell types in vivo. Scepanovic aims to expand our understanding of gene regulation beyond limited vertebrate and invertebrate models by examining phylogenetically relevant taxa, thus shedding light on the evolutionary aspects of transcriptional regulation.
Department of Philosophy