Shelley Berger

Shelley Berger for the National Institutes of Health

Shelley Berger is an American epigeneticist known for her pioneering research in the field of epigenetics. She is a professor at the University of Pennsylvania and holds the Daniel S. Och University Professorship in the departments of Cell and Developmental Biology, Genetics, and Biology.

Early Life and Education

Shelley Berger received her undergraduate degree in Biology from University of Michigan. She then pursued her Ph.D. in Cell Biology at the University of Michigan, where she developed an interest in the regulation of gene expression.

Career

After completing her Ph.D., Berger conducted postdoctoral research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the laboratory of Phillip Sharp, a Nobel laureate in Physiology or Medicine. During her time at MIT, she focused on the mechanisms of gene regulation and chromatin structure.

In 2003, Berger joined the faculty at the University of Pennsylvania, where she established a research program dedicated to understanding the role of epigenetic modifications in gene expression and cellular function. Her work has significantly contributed to the understanding of how histone modifications and DNA methylation influence gene expression and cellular differentiation.

Research Contributions

Berger's research has led to several groundbreaking discoveries in the field of epigenetics. She has identified key enzymes involved in the addition and removal of epigenetic marks on histones and DNA. Her work has also elucidated the role of these modifications in various biological processes, including aging, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases.

One of her notable contributions is the identification of the SIRT6 enzyme, which plays a critical role in DNA repair and genomic stability. Her research has shown that SIRT6 is involved in the regulation of metabolism and longevity.

Awards and Honors

Shelley Berger has received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to the field of epigenetics. These include:

• Election to the National Academy of Sciences
• Election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
• The Ellis Island Medal of Honor

Personal Life

Shelley Berger is married and has two children. She is an advocate for women in science and actively mentors young scientists in her laboratory.

See Also

• Epigenetics
• Histone modification
• DNA methylation
• Gene expression
• Cellular differentiation