Guttman Lab
Decoding the roles of non-coding RNAs in shaping nuclear structure and gene expression.
We are an integrated team of experimental and computational biologists who work together to understand how nuclear compartments control gene expression programs and cell state decisions. We believe that the strength of our science arises from the diversity of our ideas and experiences. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse laboratory culture and as such welcome students, postdocs, and visiting scholars from all backgrounds to join our group.
Our Lab
We seek to understand fundamental principles of biological regulation within the nucleus. Our team of scientists from diverse backgrounds allows us to approach these questions from a holistic perspective with an integrated strategy. We do not make a clear distinction between experimental and computational projects; our projects are goal-centered and use all tools critical for success. When necessary, we develop new tools to answer questions that were previously inaccessible and apply these tools to decipher new paradigms and improve our understanding of essential biological functions.
In The News
Caltech Professor Discovers Long Intergenic Non-coding RNA to Treat Incurable Neurodevelopmental Disorder
In an in-depth Q&A session, Professor Guttman explains the important connection between long intergenic non-coding RNAs, or lincRNAs, and X chromosome inactivation. Read the full featuered interview at TouchPoints Magazine
Sofi Quinodoz wins HHMI Hanna Gray Fellowship
As a doctoral student at Guttman Lab, Sofi developed a new way to map how cells’ nuclei are organized. Read about the fellowship at HHMI
SARS-CoV-2 Disables Key Components of Human Cells’ Defense System
Read the article in The Scientist
Announcements
Minds Matter Southern California
Publication: Xist spatially amplifies SHARP/SPEN recruitment to balance chromosome-wide silencing and specificity to the X chromosome
Why are lncRNAs lowly expressed? How can they regulate their more abundant targets? Our latest paper “Xist spatially amplifies SHARP/SPEN recruitment to balance chromosome-wide silencing and specificity to the X chromosome” published in Nature Structural & Molecular Biology explores how these features are balanced to ensure target specificity and robust gene regulation via a spatial amplification mechanism. Read the Paper here
Publication: SPRITE, a genome-wide method for mapping higher-order 3D interactions in the nucleus using combinatorial split-and-pool barcoding
Want to generate higher-order 3D maps of DNA organization? Our protocol for DNA-SPRITE, ” SPRITE: a genome-wide method for mapping higher-order 3D interactions in the nucleus using combinatorial split-and-pool barcoding” is now live on Nature Protocols! Read the protocol paper here
Guttman Lab Retreat 2021
Guttman lab celebrates a happy return to our favorite tradition, the annual lab retreat. This year’s event was held December 10-12 in the mountain town of Lake Arrowhead, California. Lab members presented their work, discussed next year’s goals and opportunities, and drew out a roadmap for another year of research. But that’s not all, we took plenty of time to relax, hike, and make s’mores in this idyllic mountain setting.
Publication: RNA promotes the formation of spatial compartments in the nucleus
Artwork by Inna-Marie Strazhnik/Caltech
Publication: Single-cell measurement of higher-order 3D genome organization with scSPRITE
New paper now published to Nature Biotechnology: “Single-cell measurement of higher-order 3D genome organization with scSPRITE”. This new application of our SPRITE methods measures multi-way DNA interactions around nuclear bodies, TADs, and P-E in hundreds of mouse embryonic stem cells. Read the Paper here