Eric F. Joyce

Eric F. Joyce, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of Genetics at the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine, where he serves as a Core Member of the Epigenetics Institute. His laboratory is housed in the Department of Genetics within the Clinical Research Building at 415 Curie Boulevard, Philadelphia.

• Position: Associate Professor of Genetics
• Institution: University of Pennsylvania
• School: Perelman School of Medicine
• Department: Department of Genetics
• Lab Location: 570 Clinical Research Building
• Contact: erjoyce@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Dr. Joyce's educational background includes a B.A. in Genetics and Microbiology from Rutgers University (2004) followed by a Ph.D. in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics from the same institution (2010).

His research focuses on the spatial organization of the genome, investigating how chromosomes are functionally organized and folded in 3-D space and time. The Joyce lab employs cellular, molecular, genetic, and computational tools to elucidate how chromosome structure and position within the nucleus is established and inherited across cell divisions. A key area of investigation concerns how dysfunctional organization contributes to genome instability and disease. The lab has made significant contributions to understanding cohesin-mediated chromatin looping, the spatial organization of the epigenome, and the impact of aging on 3D genome organization.

Analysis of Dr. Joyce's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on chromatin architecture, with particular emphasis on cohesin function, TAD (topologically associating domain) formation, and the relationship between nuclear architecture and gene regulation. His work bridges basic science with clinical relevance, particularly in understanding developmental disorders like Cornelia De Lange Syndrome that result from cohesin dysfunction.

Dr. Joyce has developed and utilized innovative imaging technologies, particularly Oligopaint FISH methods, to visualize chromosome structure at single-cell resolution. His lab's high-throughput screening approaches have identified novel regulators of genome organization, with potential therapeutic implications for targeting the 3D genome.

• Current Projects: Spatial organization of the epigenome, Regulatory logic underlying cohesin-mediated chromatin looping, High-throughput screening for novel pathways important for genome organization, Impact of aging on 3D organization

The Joyce lab maintains an active research program with multiple postdoctoral researchers and graduate students from the Genomics and Computational Biology and Cell and Molecular Biology programs. His collaborative approach is evident in numerous co-corresponding authorships across diverse publications in high-impact journals including Nature, Molecular Cell, and Nature Genetics.