University of Chicago · BiochemistryHe Lab
Chuan He · Chicago, Illinois
Research Focus
Dr. Chuan He's research lab at the University of Chicago focuses on understanding DNA modifications, particularly epigenetic changes that affect gene expression. They are developing new methods to label and sequence specific chemical changes in DNA, particularly 5-hydroxymethylcytosine and 5-methylcytosine, which may have significant implications for diagnosing and treating diseases. This research is crucial for both basic science and clinical applications, promising advancements in how we study and understand genetics and health.
DNA methylationepigenetics5hmCbiomarkerssequencing techniquescell-free DNAsingle-cell analysisgene regulationdemethylation
Research Aims
4AIM 01Develop sensitive methods to label and sequence 5hmC in DNA at single-cell resolution.
AIM 02Create techniques for quantifying 5mC and 5hmC using minimal sample amounts.
AIM 03Investigate the role of DNA modifications in gene expression regulation.
AIM 04Explore early embryonic cell fate determination through epigenetic changes.
Skills the Lab Values
PCRcell culturehigh-throughput sequencingimmunoprecipitationDNA extractionbisulfite sequencingbioinformaticschromatin assaysfluorescent microscopy
Output against the department
Publications974top 2% of dept.9th of 402
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations132ktop 1% of dept.4th of 402
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.