UWMUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison · Biochemistry
Pioneer Factors Research Lab
Melissa Harrison · Madison, Wisconsin
Research Focus
Dr. Melissa Harrison's lab at the University of Wisconsin-Madison focuses on how certain transcription factors, known as pioneer factors, can reprogram the genetic material in early embryos to enable development. By studying the molecular mechanisms that these factors use to bind to DNA and modify gene expression, the lab aims to uncover fundamental processes that impact growth and health. This research has implications for understanding both normal development and diseases related to gene regulation.
pioneer factorsembryonic developmenttranscription factorsgenomic reprogramminggene expressionchromatinDrosophiladevelopmental transitionsgene-regulatory networks
Research Aims
5AIM 01Investigate how pioneer factors bind DNA within chromatin to promote gene expression.
AIM 02Determine the mechanisms through which pioneer factors partition the embryonic genome.
AIM 03Identify pioneer-specific features that facilitate genomic restructuring.
AIM 04Explore the implications of pioneer factor misexpression in developmental disorders.
AIM 05Elucidate fundamental processes that govern normal cellular transitions.
Skills the Lab Values
genetic analysisbiochemical assaysimaging techniquesgenome editingcell cultureDrosophila manipulationtranscription factor assayschromatin accessibility studies
Output against the department
Publications91bottom 21% of dept.316th of 402
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations6.2kbottom 36% of dept.259th 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.