Our lab focuses on the role of histone modifications. We aim to understand how the post-translational modification of histone proteins contributes to organization and function of chromatin. To do this, we take advantage of multiple model organisms including the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Our long-term goal is to understand how the distinct types of modifications known to occur on histones contribute to a possible histone code (Strahl & Allis 2000) and to human biology and disease.