Rebecca Berrens

Dr. Rebecca Berrens is a researcher focused on elucidating the molecular mechanisms of locus-specific transposable elements (TEs) in developmental gene regulation. Her work investigates how TEs, which comprise half of the mammalian genome, influence gene expression and contribute to developmental disorders through their regulatory sequences.

Research Approach:

• Developed CELLO-seq, a single-cell long-read RNA-seq method, to assess TE expression at individual locus resolution.
• Utilizes epigenetics, spatial chromosome organization, computational biology, and genome-editing technologies to dissect TE heterogeneity and functional roles in development.
• Identified 25 key LINE1 loci for functional studies using CELLO-seq.

Laboratory:

• Led the Berrens Lab, which explores fundamental processes linking TE activity to developmental regulation.
• Lab website: https://sites.google.com/view/berrenslab