Oliver Bell

Oliver Bell, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Cancer Biology at the Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California. He leads the Bell Lab, which investigates epigenetic mechanisms governing cell fate decisions through chromatin modification dynamics. His research employs synthetic biology approaches in stem cells to study inheritance of gene silencing patterns.

Bell's research focuses on:

• Epigenetic memory of cellular differentiation
• Chromatin modification dynamics and inheritance
• Polycomb group protein functions in gene regulation
• 3D genome architecture in epigenetic control
• Development of epigenetic-targeted cancer therapies
• Neurodevelopmental disorder mechanisms (e.g., Weiss-Kruszka syndrome)

His recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on Polycomb complexes, heterochromatin organization, and CRISPR-based screening techniques. The work spans structural biology of chromatin condensates, cohesin-Polycomb interactions, and chemical modulation of epigenetic regulators, with increasing translational applications in cancer and neurodevelopmental disorders.

Awards and Fellowships:

• HFSP Career Development Award (2014-2018)
• HFSP Long-term Fellowship (2010-2012)
• EMBO Long-term Fellowship (2009-2010)

The Bell Lab maintains active research programs in epigenetic mechanisms, utilizing mouse embryonic stem cell models, CRISPR genomics, and chemical biology approaches to investigate fundamental questions in gene regulation and cellular identity.