LeAnn Howe

Dr. LeAnn Howe is a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology within the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia. Her research focuses on chromatin structure, histone modifications, and gene expression regulation, employing molecular biology and bioinformatics approaches to investigate how epigenetic mechanisms maintain cellular identity and contribute to human diseases.

Education:

• CIHR Post-Doctoral Fellow, Pennsylvania State University, 2003
• PhD, University of Victoria, 1998
• BSc, University of Victoria, 1992

Dr. Howe's research primarily investigates how chromatin structure influences gene expression patterns in eukaryotic cells. Her work examines the roles of histones, histone chaperones, histone variants, and histone post-translational modifications in preserving active gene expression states. She has made significant contributions to understanding how transcription shapes histone acetylation patterns, how histone modifications recruit chromatin-modifying complexes, and how these processes maintain cellular identity. Her research has important implications for understanding aberrant gene expression in human diseases, including cancer.

Her recent publications (2021-2025) demonstrate a continued focus on chromatin biology and epigenetic regulation, with expanding interests in the intersection of genetics, environmental factors, and human health. Her work spans from fundamental molecular mechanisms in yeast models to human health applications, showing a trajectory from basic science to translational research. The breadth of her work covers chromatin structure, transcription regulation, epigenetic inheritance, and the application of genetic methodologies to understand complex traits and disease mechanisms.

Scientific Contributions:

• Elucidated mechanisms of histone modification and chromatin structure maintenance
• Investigated transcription's role in shaping genome-wide histone acetylation patterns
• Explored connections between epigenetic mechanisms and human disease
• Expanded research into genetic epidemiology and complex trait analysis

Dr. Howe maintains an active research program with consistent publication output across multiple high-impact journals including Nature Communications, Genetics, and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. She leads a research group focused on chromatin and epigenetics at UBC's Life Sciences Centre (office 5509), combining molecular biology techniques with bioinformatics approaches to study fundamental mechanisms of gene regulation.