External Website:
http://www.unmc.edu/biochemistry/christman.htm

My research is primarily focused on epigenetic changes that lead to or can serve as early markers for cancer or other diseases. My group's research includes studies on the role of diet and anti-cancer drugs in altering genomic patterns of DNA methylation and histone modification in culture human cells and tissue samples. Our most recent studies indicate a novel mechanism by which DNA methyltransferases partner with the DNA repair system to help maintain normal DNA methylation status. Current collaborations include studies on alterations in DNA methylation patterns in mantle cell lymphoma (with Dr. T. Greiner), studies on the interaction between DNA methylation and histone biotinylation of LTRs in the human genome (with Dr. J. Zempleni) and crystallographic analysis of DNMT 3b with a DNA repair protein.