Yujiang Shi, Ph.D.

Dr. Shi is exploring novel epigenetic mechanisms involved in regulation of eukaryotic gene expression with the goal of identifying and characterizing these novel epigenetic players to better understand the mechanisms in chromatin. Among his several accomplishments, Dr. Shi has isolated and characterized the first histone demethylase (LSD1). The discovery of this long sought enzyme opened new ground in the emerging and fast moving epigenetic field. He is focusing on identifying novel cellular targets of LSD1 and investigating the dynamic regulation of histone methylation by LSD1 in vivo using LSD1-knockout murine model. He is also investigating whether LSD1 activity is regulated by its associated partners such as transcriptional corepressors and whether there is interplay between histone deacetylases and demethylases in the LSD1 complex during silencing of target genes, such as the angiotensinogen gene.