James B. Jaynes

James B. Jaynes is a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology at the College of Life Sciences, focusing on nuclear genome regulation in eukaryotic organisms through chromatin structure dynamics and 3D genome organization.

His educational background includes advanced training in quantitative disciplines:

• PhD in Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
• BS in Physics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA

Dr. Jaynes' research centers on two interconnected regulatory systems: Polycomb-mediated chromatin modifications and chromatin insulator function. His laboratory investigates how these mechanisms control gene expression during development, using Drosophila as a primary model to study the even-skipped locus and homeodomain proteins like Engrailed and Even-skipped. This work reveals fundamental principles of epigenetic maintenance, enhancer-promoter communication, and chromosomal architecture with direct relevance to cancer biology.

Analysis of his publications shows consistent emphasis on chromatin insulators, Polycomb domains, and transcriptional regulation across model systems from Drosophila to mammals. Key themes include the role of structural elements in preventing transcriptional interference, evolutionarily conserved DNA-binding mechanisms, and dysregulation of locus control regions in colorectal cancer.

Dr. Jaynes leads a research laboratory dedicated to elucidating the biochemical basis of combinatorial gene control, with particular focus on protein-DNA interactions and cofactor recruitment mechanisms that determine cell fate during embryogenesis.