Current position
Associate Professor, IMB, MedFak. The Eskeland group will move spring 2019
Responsible for projects:
-Chromatin loops and functions (#262484 Norges Forskningsråd 2017-2021)
-Safe Medication in Pregnancy (PI, PharmaTox Research Initiative; MatNat Faculty, UiO, IBV Anders Jahre Fund, Wedel Jarlsbergs Fond and Nansenfondene, 2016-2019)
-Centre for Cancer Cell Reprogramming (PI, NoE Norges Forskningsråd 2018-2027)
Research Interests
My areas of scientific interest are the regulation of gene expression through higher order chromatin structure and nuclear organization during development and in cancer. My team focuses on the role of protein complexes in epigenetic regulation of chromatin structure during embryonic stem cell differentiation and in cancer cells. We use imaging and biochemical methods such as Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), Hi-C, ATAC-seq, ChIP and in vitro nucleosome assembly.
For more info visit Chromatin Biology group.
Teaching
Work experience
Principal Investigator (June 2014- Aug 2018) Universitetet i Oslo, Department of Biosciences.
Associate professor II (Jan 2014 - Jan 2016) Department of Molecular Biology, University of Bergen (20 percent)
Postdoktor (Sept 2010 - May 2014) Universitetet i Oslo, Department of Biosciences. Group Head: Prof. Odd Stokke Gabrielsen
Career Development Fellow (Jan 2007- Aug 2010) MRC Human Genetics Unit, Edinburgh, Scotland. Group head: Prof. Wendy A. Bickmore
Education
PhD (Nov. 2002 - Dec. 2006) Adolf-Butenandt Institute, Ludwig-Maximillians University of Munich, Germany. Group head: Prof. Axel Imhof. Thesis: “Histone H3 lysine 9 methylation: A signature for chromatin function”. In this period I was enrolled in the International Graduate Program: “Protein Dynamics in Health and Disease” and a member of the Elite Network of Bavaria.
Master (Candidatus Scientiarum) (Jan. 2000- Dec. 2002) Sars International Centre for Marine Molecular Biology and University of Bergen, Norway. Group head: Prof. Eric Thompson and UiB supervisor Prof. Rein Aasland. Thesis:“Characterization of linker and core histones in the Urochordate Oikopleura dioica”
ERASMUS Exchange Programme (Sept. 1999 – Jan. 2000) Chemistry and Physiology, University of Aberdeen, Scotland.
Cand. Mag. (Aug. 1997 – Jan. 2000) Molecular Biology and Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Bergen, Norway
Collaborators
Prof. Philippe Collas, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo
Dr. Tiziana Bonaldi, European Institute of Oncology, Italy
Prof. Kerstin Bystricky, University of Toulouse, France
PharmaTox, Endringsmiljø, MatNat, UiO. Lead by Prof. Hedvig Nordeng
CanCell, Centre of Excellence, UiO
Prof. Vessela Kristensen, Oslo University Hospital, Norway
Dr. Jose Garcia Perez, University of Edinburgh, UK
Dr. Anthony Mathelier, NCMM, Norway
Dr. Thomas Fleischer, OUS, Norway
Ass. Prof. Jonas Paulsen, IBV, UiO, Oslo
Dr. Bernd Thiede, IBV, UiO, Oslo.
Tags:
Epigenetics,
Chromatin,
Nuclear organisation,
Stem cells
Publications
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Lemma, Roza Berhanu; Fleischer, Thomas; Martinsen, Emily; Ledsaak, Marit; Kristensen, Vessela N. & Eskeland, Ragnhild
[Show all 8 contributors for this article]
(2022).
Pioneer transcription factors are associated with the modulation of DNA methylation patterns across cancers.
Epigenetics & Chromatin.
ISSN 1756-8935.
15.
doi:
10.1186/s13072-022-00444-9.
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Sharma, Ankush; Akshay, Akshay; Rogne, Marie & Eskeland, Ragnhild
(2021).
ShinyArchR.UiO: User-friendly, integrative and open-source tool for visualisation of single-cell ATAC-seq data using ArchR.
Bioinformatics.
ISSN 1367-4803.
38(3),
p. 834–836.
doi:
10.1093/bioinformatics/btab680.
Full text in Research Archive
Show summary
Motivation: Mapping of chromatin accessibility landscapes in single-cells and the integration with gene expression enables a better understanding of gene regulatory mechanisms defining cell identities and cell-fate determination in development and disease. Generally, raw data generated from single-cell Assay for Transposase-Accessible Chromatin sequencing (scATAC-seq) are deposited in repositories that are generally inaccessible due to lack of in-depth knowledge of computational programming.
Results: We have developed ShinyArchR.UiO, an R-based shiny app, that facilitates scATAC-seq data accessibility and visualisation in a user-friendly, interactive, and open-source web interface. ShinyArchR.UiO is an application that can streamline collaborative efforts for interpretation of massive chromatin accessibility datasets and allow for open access data sharing for wider audiences.
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Lemma, Roza Berhanu; Ledsaak, Marit; Fuglerud, Bettina Maria; Sandve, Geir Kjetil; Eskeland, Ragnhild & Gabrielsen, Odd Stokke
(2021).
Chromatin occupancy and target genes of the haematopoietic master transcription factor MYB.
Scientific Reports.
ISSN 2045-2322.
11(9008).
doi:
10.1038/s41598-021-88516-w.
Full text in Research Archive
Show summary
The transcription factor MYB is a master regulator in haematopoietic progenitor cells and a pioneer factor affecting differentiation and proliferation of these cells. Leukaemic transformation may be promoted by high MYB levels. Despite much accumulated molecular knowledge of MYB, we still lack a comprehensive understanding of its target genes and its chromatin action. In the present work, we performed a ChIP-seq analysis of MYB in K562 cells accompanied by detailed bioinformatics analyses. We found that MYB occupies both promoters and enhancers. Five clusters (C1–C5) were found when we classified MYB peaks according to epigenetic profiles. C1 was enriched for promoters and C2 dominated by enhancers. C2-linked genes were connected to hematopoietic specific functions and had GATA factor motifs as second in frequency. C1 had in addition to MYB-motifs a significant frequency of ETS-related motifs. Combining ChIP-seq data with RNA-seq data allowed us to identify direct MYB target genes. We also compared ChIP-seq data with digital genomic footprinting. MYB is occupying nearly a third of the super-enhancers in K562. Finally, we concluded that MYB cooperates with a subset of the other highly expressed TFs in this cell line, as expected for a master regulator
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Rodriguez- Castañeda, Fernando; Lemma, Roza Berhanu; Cuervo Torre, Ignacio; Bengtsen, Mads; Moen, Lisa Marie & Ledsaak, Marit
[Show all 8 contributors for this article]
(2018).
The SUMO protease SENP1 and the chromatin remodeller CHD3 interact and jointly affect chromatin accessibility and gene expression.
Journal of Biological Chemistry.
ISSN 0021-9258.
293(40),
p. 15439–15454.
doi:
10.1074/jbc.RA118.002844.
Full text in Research Archive
Show summary
The small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) post-translationally modifies lysine residues of transcription factors and co-regulators and thereby contributes to an important layer of control of the activities of these transcriptional regulators. Likewise, deSUMOylation of these factors by the sentrin-specific proteases (SENPs) also plays a role in gene regulation, but whether SENPs functionally interact with other regulatory factors that control gene expression is unclear. In the present work, we focused on SENP1, specifically, on its role in activation of gene expression investigated through analysis of the SENP1 interactome, which revealed that SENP1 physically interacts with the chromatin remodeler chromodomain helicase DNA-binding protein 3 (CHD3). Using several additional methods, including GST pull-down and co-immunoprecipitation assays, we validated and mapped this interaction, and using CRISPR-Cas9–generated CHD3- and SENP1-KO cells (in the haploid HAP1 cell line), we investigated whether these two proteins are functionally linked in regulating chromatin remodeling and gene expression. Genome-wide ATAC-Seq analysis of the CHD3- and SENP1-KO cells revealed a large degree of overlap in differential chromatin openness between these two mutant cell lines. Moreover, motif analysis and comparison with ChIP-Seq profiles in K562 cells pointed to an association of CHD3 and SENP1 with CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) and SUMOylated chromatin–associated factors. Lastly, genome-wide RNA-Seq also indicated that these two proteins co-regulate the expression of several genes. We propose that the functional link between chromatin remodeling by CHD3 and deSUMOylation by SENP1 uncovered here provides another level of control of gene expression.
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Fuglerud, Bettina Maria; Ledsaak, Marit; Rogne, Marie; Eskeland, Ragnhild & Gabrielsen, Odd Stokke
(2018).
The pioneer factor activity of c-Myb involves recruitment of p300 and induction of histone acetylation followed by acetylation-induced chromatin dissociation.
Epigenetics & Chromatin.
ISSN 1756-8935.
11(1).
doi:
10.1186/s13072-018-0208-y.
Full text in Research Archive
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Gervin, Kristina; Nordeng, Hedvig Marie Egeland; Eskeland, Ragnhild; Paulsen, Ragnhild Elisabeth & Lyle, Robert
(2017).
Farmakoepigenetikk: Samspillet mellom legemidler og epigenetikk.
Norsk Farmaceutisk Tidsskrift.
ISSN 0029-1935.
125(8),
p. 30–34.
Full text in Research Archive
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Fuglerud, Bettina Maria; Lemma, Roza Berhanu; Wanichawan, Pimthanya; Sundaram, Arvind; Eskeland, Ragnhild & Gabrielsen, Odd Stokke
(2017).
A c-Myb mutant causes deregulated differentiation due to impaired histone binding and abrogated pioneer factor function.
Nucleic Acids Research (NAR).
ISSN 0305-1048.
45(13),
p. 7681–7696.
doi:
10.1093/nar/gkx364.
Full text in Research Archive
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Simovski, Boris; Vodak, Daniel; Gundersen, Sveinung; Domanska, Diana Ewa; Azab, Abdulrahman & Holden, Lars
[Show all 25 contributors for this article]
(2017).
GSuite HyperBrowser: integrative analysis of dataset collections across the genome and epigenome.
GigaScience.
ISSN 2047-217X.
6(7),
p. 1–12.
doi:
10.1093/gigascience/gix032.
Full text in Research Archive
Show summary
Background: Recent large-scale undertakings such as ENCODE and Roadmap Epigenomics have generated experimental data mapped to the human reference genome (as genomic tracks) representing a variety of functional elements across a large number of cell types. Despite the high potential value of these publicly available data for a broad variety of investigations, little attention has been given to the analytical methodology necessary for their widespread utilisation. Findings: We here present a first principled treatment of the analysis of collections of genomic tracks. We have developed novel computational and statistical methodology to permit comparative and confirmatory analyses across multiple and disparate data sources. We delineate a set of generic questions that are useful across a broad range of investigations and discuss the implications of choosing different statistical measures and null models. Examples include contrasting analyses across different tissues or diseases. The methodology has been implemented in a comprehensive open-source software system, the GSuite HyperBrowser. To make the functionality accessible to biologists, and to facilitate reproducible analysis, we have also developed a web-based interface providing an expertly guided and customizable way of utilizing the methodology. With this system, many novel biological questions can flexibly be posed and rapidly answered. Conclusions: Through a combination of streamlined data acquisition, interoperable representation of dataset collections and customizable statistical analysis with guided setup and interpretation, the GSuite HyperBrowser represents a first comprehensive solution for integrative analysis of track collections across the genome and epigenome. The software is available at: https://hyperbrowser.uio.no
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Mora Ortiz, Antonio Carlos; Sandve, Geir Kjetil; Gabrielsen, Odd Stokke & Eskeland, Ragnhild
(2015).
In the loop: promoter-enhancer interactions and bioinformatics.
Briefings in Bioinformatics.
ISSN 1467-5463.
doi:
10.1093/bib/bbv097.
Show summary
Enhancer–promoter regulation is a fundamental mechanism underlying differential transcriptional regulation. Spatial chromatin organization brings remote enhancers in contact with target promoters in cis to regulate gene expression. There is considerable evidence for promoter–enhancer interactions (PEIs). In the recent years, genome-wide analyses have identified signatures and mapped novel enhancers; however, being able to precisely identify their target gene(s) requires massive biological and bioinformatics efforts. In this review, we give a short overview of the chromatin landscape and transcriptional regulation. We discuss some key concepts and problems related to chromatin interaction detection technologies, and emerging knowledge from genome-wide chromatin interaction data sets. Then, we critically review different types of bioinformatics analysis methods and tools related to representation and visualization of PEI data, raw data processing and PEI prediction. Lastly, we provide specific examples of how PEIs have been used to elucidate a functional role of non-coding single-nucleotide polymorphisms. The topic is at the forefront of epigenetic research, and by highlighting some future bioinformatics challenges in the field, this review provides a comprehensive background for future PEI studies.
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Bengtsen, Mads; Klepper, Kjetil; Gundersen, Sveinung; Cuervo Torre, Ignacio; Drabløs, Finn & Hovig, Johannes Eivind
[Show all 9 contributors for this article]
(2015).
c-Myb Binding Sites in Haematopoietic Chromatin Landscapes.
PLOS ONE.
ISSN 1932-6203.
10(7).
doi:
10.1371/journal.pone.0133280.
Full text in Research Archive
Show summary
Strict control of tissue-specific gene expression plays a pivotal role during lineage commit- ment. The transcription factor c-Myb has an essential role in adult haematopoiesis and func- tions as an oncogene when rearranged in human cancers. Here we have exploited digital genomic footprinting analysis to obtain a global picture of c-Myb occupancy in the genome of six different haematopoietic cell-types. We have biologically validated several c-Myb foot- prints using c-Myb knockdown data, reporter assays and DamID analysis. We show that our predicted conserved c-Myb footprints are highly dependent on the haematopoietic cell type, but that there is a group of gene targets common to all cell-types analysed. Further- more, we find that c-Myb footprints co-localise with active histone mark H3K4me3 and are significantly enriched at exons. We analysed co-localisation of c-Myb footprints with 104 chromatin regulatory factors in K562 cells, and identified nine proteins that are enriched together with c-Myb footprints on genes positively regulated by c-Myb and one protein enriched on negatively regulated genes. Our data suggest that c-Myb is a transcription fac- tor with multifaceted target regulation depending on cell type.
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Lund, Eivind Gard; Oldenburg Ruppelt, Anja; Delbarre, Erwan; Freberg, Christel Taranger; Duband-Goulet, Isabelle & Eskeland, Ragnhild
[Show all 8 contributors for this article]
(2013).
Lamin A/C-promoter interactions specify chromatin state-dependent transcription outcomes.
Genome Research.
ISSN 1088-9051.
23(10),
p. 1580–1589.
doi:
10.1101/gr.159400.113.
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Collas, Philippe & Eskeland, Ragnhild
(2013).
Oslo Epigenetics Symposium 2012 Oslo, Norway, 8-9 November 2012.
Epigenomics.
ISSN 1750-1911.
5(1),
p. 29–32.
doi:
10.2217/EPI.12.76.
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Chioda, Christina; Spada, Fabio; Eskeland, Ragnhild & Thompson, Eric
(2004).
Histone mRNAs do not accumulate during S phase of either mitotic or endoreduplicative cycles in the chordate Oikopleura dioica.
Molecular and Cellular Biology.
ISSN 0270-7306.
24(12),
p. 5391–5403.
Show summary
Metazoan histones are generally classified as replication-dependent or replacement variants. Replication-dependent histone genes contain cell cycle-responsive promoter elements, their transcripts terminate in an unpolyadenylated conserved stem-loop, and their mRNAs accumulate sharply during S phase. Replacement variant genes lack cell cycle-responsive promoter elements, their polyadenylated transcripts lack the stem-loop, and they are expressed at low levels throughout the cell cycle. During early development of some organisms with rapid cleavage cycles, replication-dependent mRNAs are not fully S phase restricted until complete cell cycle regulation is achieved. The accumulation of polyadenylated transcripts during this period has been considered incompatible with metazoan development. We show here that histone metabolism in the urochordate Oikopleura dioica does not accord with some key tenets of the replication-dependent/replacement variant paradigm. During the premetamorphic mitotic phase of development, expressed variants shared characteristics of replication-dependent histones, including the 3' stem-loop, but, in contrast, were extensively polyadenylated. After metamorphosis, when cells in many tissues enter endocycles, there was a global downregulation of histone transcript levels, with most variant transcripts processed at the stem-loop. Contrary to the 30-fold S-phase upregulation of histone transcripts described in common metazoan model organisms, we observed essentially constant histone transcript levels throughout both mitotic and endoreduplicative cell cycles.
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Chioda, Christina; Eskeland, Ragnhild & Thompson, Eric
(2002).
Histone gene complement, variant expression, and mRNA processing in a urochordate Oikopleura dioica that undergoes extensive polyploidization.
Molecular Biology and Evolution (MBE).
ISSN 0737-4038.
19,
p. 2247–2260.
Show summary
Considerable data exist on coding sequences of histones in a wide variety of organisms. Much more restricted information is available on total histone gene complement, gene organization, transcriptional regulation, and histone mRNA processing. In particular, there is a significant phylogenetic gap in information for the urochordates, a subphylum near the invertebrate-vertebrate transition. In this study, we show that the appendicularian Oikopleura dioica has a histone gene complement that is similar to that of humans, though its genome size is 40- to 50-fold smaller. At a total length of 3.5 kb, the H3, H4, H1, H2A, and H2B quintet cluster is the most compact described thus far, but despite very rapid early developmental cleavage cycles, no extensive tandem repeats of the cluster were present. The high degree of variation within each of the complements of O. dioica H2A and H2B subtypes resembled that found in plants as opposed to more closely related vertebrate and invertebrate species, and developmental stage-specific expression of different subtypes was observed. The linker histone H1 was present in relatively few copies per haploid genome and contained short N- and C-terminal tails, a feature similar to that of copepods but different from many standard model organisms. The 3'UTRs of the histone genes contained both the consensus stem-loop sequence and the polyadenylation signals but lacked the consensus histone downstream element that is involved in the processing of histone mRNAs in echinoderms and vertebrates. Two types of transcripts were found, i.e., those containing both the stem-loop and a polyA tail as well as those cleaved at the normal site just 3' of the stem-loop. The O. dioica data are an important addition to the limited number of eukaryotes for which sufficiently extensive information on histone gene complements is available. Increasingly, it appears that understanding the evolution of histone gene organization, transcriptional regulation, and mRNA processing will depend at least as much on comparative analysis of constraints imposed by certain life history features and cell biological characteristics as on projections based on simple phylogenetic relationships.
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Eskeland, Ragnhild & Grini, Paul Eivind
(2015).
Epigenetikk – hadde Lamarck rett?
In Hessen, Dag Olav; Lie, Thore & Stenseth, Nils Christian (Ed.),
Mendels arv - Genetikkens æra.
Gyldendal Norsk Forlag A/S.
ISSN 978-82-05-45818-5.
p. 182–215.
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Published Jan. 17, 2019 2:07 PM
- Last modified Feb. 3, 2022 2:05 PM