Iestyn Whitehouse

Iestyn Whitehouse is an Associate Professor in the Department of Molecular Biology at the Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, and a key member of the research community at the Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC). He leads the Whitehouse Lab and serves as the Director of the Center for Epigenetics Research, where his work bridges fundamental chromatin biology with cutting-edge genomic technologies.

His research centers on understanding how chromatin states are established, maintained, and inherited through cell divisions and generations. The lab investigates how chromatin regulates essential processes such as DNA replication, gene transcription, and epigenetic inheritance. A major focus is on developing high-resolution, single-molecule genomic methods, including the pioneering use of Nanopore sequencing, to map dynamic chromatin-protein interactions and replication machinery progression with unprecedented precision.

The lab's current projects aim to achieve high-resolution mapping of DNA replication in the context of epigenetics and to develop novel techniques for probing chromatin architecture in vivo. These innovations address long-standing limitations in detecting rare molecular events within heterogeneous cell populations.

Dr. Whitehouse has over 25 years of experience in epigenetics research. His early work elucidated the biochemical mechanisms of ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling enzymes, and his recent contributions have advanced the field through the development of next-generation genomics tools for epigenome mapping.

• Director, Center for Epigenetics Research
• PhD Program Affiliation: Molecular Biology

While no specific awards or students are listed, his leadership roles and methodological innovations highlight significant recognition within the scientific community. The lab actively contributes to training the next generation of biomedical scientists through the Tri-Institutional PhD Programs and collaborative research initiatives.

The Whitehouse Lab operates at the intersection of molecular biology, genomics, and systems biology, with strong affiliations to MSKCC and the broader New York City life sciences ecosystem. The lab fosters interdisciplinary collaboration and is positioned to continue making transformative contributions to understanding epigenetic regulation in health and disease.