Hannah Long

Dr. Hannah Long is a Programme Leader at the MRC Human Genetics Unit within the Institute of Genetics and Cancer at the University of Edinburgh. Her research focuses on understanding gene regulation mechanisms in human craniofacial development and disease. She leads an active research group investigating how enhancers and non-coding DNA elements control gene expression during embryonic development, with particular emphasis on craniofacial disorders and congenital conditions.

Dr. Long's research centers on the role of enhancers and chromatin structure in craniofacial development. Her lab utilizes human embryonic stem cells differentiated into cranial neural crest cells (CNCCs), animal models, genome-editing, epigenomic analysis, and imaging approaches. Key research areas include understanding how clusters of enhancers regulate gene expression, exploring local 3D topology and gene regulation, and investigating how chromosomal structure relates to gene activity. Her work has significant implications for understanding human congenital disorders.

Analysis of Dr. Long's publication record reveals a consistent focus on enhancer biology and gene regulation in development. Her work spans from fundamental mechanisms of enhancer function to their role in human disease, with particular emphasis on long-range regulatory interactions involving the SOX9 gene. She frequently publishes in high-impact journals including Cell, Molecular Cell, and Cell Stem Cell, demonstrating the significance of her contributions to understanding how non-coding genetic elements control development and cause disease.

Dr. Long actively mentors the next generation of scientists, supervising PhD students and postdoctoral researchers including Verena Obermuller, Ewa Ozga, and Kasia Milto. Her research is supported by the Medical Research Council (MRC), reflecting the importance of her work in understanding the genetic basis of craniofacial development and disorders.

Dr. Long leads a dynamic research group within the MRC Human Genetics Unit at the University of Edinburgh, comprising postdoctoral scientists, research assistants, and PhD students. The lab maintains collaborations with researchers at Stanford University, University of Edinburgh, KU Leuven, and other institutions, creating a vibrant interdisciplinary research environment focused on understanding the fundamental mechanisms of gene regulation during development.