Bradley Bernstein

American biologist and professor

Bradley E. Bernstein is an American biologist renowned for his contributions to the field of epigenetics and cancer biology. He is a professor at Harvard Medical School and a member of the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. Bernstein's research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms that regulate gene expression and their implications in human health and disease.

Early life and education

Bernstein was born and raised in the United States. He pursued his undergraduate studies at Yale University, where he developed an interest in molecular biology. He later attended the University of Washington for his graduate studies, earning a Ph.D. in biochemistry. During his doctoral research, Bernstein worked on understanding the structure and function of chromatin, the complex of DNA and proteins that forms chromosomes.

Career

After completing his Ph.D., Bernstein joined the laboratory of Stuart Schreiber at Harvard University as a postdoctoral fellow. Here, he began to explore the role of chromatin modifications in gene regulation. His work contributed to the understanding of how chemical modifications to histone proteins can influence gene expression patterns.

In 2004, Bernstein established his own laboratory at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School. His research group has made significant discoveries in the field of epigenetics, particularly in the context of stem cells and cancer.

Dr. Bradley Bernstein

Research contributions

Bernstein's research has focused on the "epigenome," the collection of chemical modifications to DNA and histone proteins that regulate gene activity. His laboratory was among the first to map the human epigenome, providing insights into how these modifications can influence cell identity and function.

One of Bernstein's notable contributions is the discovery of "bivalent chromatin domains" in embryonic stem cells. These domains contain both activating and repressive histone modifications, allowing genes to be poised for activation or repression. This finding has implications for understanding how stem cells maintain their pluripotency and how they differentiate into specialized cell types.

In cancer research, Bernstein's work has shed light on how epigenetic changes can drive tumorigenesis. His studies have identified specific epigenetic alterations associated with different types of cancer, providing potential targets for therapeutic intervention.

Awards and honors

Bernstein has received numerous awards for his contributions to science, including the NIH Director's Pioneer Award and the Paul Marks Prize for Cancer Research. He is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and has been recognized as a leader in the field of epigenetics.

Related pages

• Epigenetics
• Chromatin
• Cancer biology
• Stem cell research