https://www.meerslab.org/news daily 0.75 2025-06-27 https://www.meerslab.org/news/nisar-is-awarded-the-edward-p-evans-mds-postdoctoral-fellowship monthly 0.5 2025-06-27 https://www.meerslab.org/news/cass-is-earns-an-honorable-mention-on-her-nsf-grfp-application monthly 0.5 2025-04-25 https://www.meerslab.org/news/mike-is-awarded-center-of-regenerative-medicine-seed-grant monthly 0.5 2025-02-13 https://www.meerslab.org/news/phd-students-cass-pitts-and-zack-skovgaard-pass-their-qualifying-exams monthly 0.5 2024-11-15 https://www.meerslab.org/news/phd-student-aj-federico-passes-his-qualifying-exam monthly 0.5 2024-04-17 https://www.meerslab.org/news/dr-meers-as-invited-speaker-at-single-cell-technologies-conference monthly 0.5 2024-04-10 https://www.meerslab.org/news/phd-student-yu-liang-yeh-passes-his-qualifying-exam monthly 0.5 2024-03-20 https://www.meerslab.org/news/welcome-rotation-student-cass-pitts monthly 0.5 2024-02-21 https://www.meerslab.org/news/aj-federico-earns-t32-training-grant-in-wustls-cellular-and-molecular-biology-program monthly 0.5 2024-01-24 https://www.meerslab.org/news/phd-student-yu-liang-yeh-earns-deans-distinguished-graduate-fellowship monthly 0.5 2024-01-17 https://www.meerslab.org/news/undergraduate-research-assistant-rohit-cherian-joins-the-lab monthly 0.5 2023-06-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62c5dea9306ff939147acecb/c0a57af8-1841-4674-b8c1-c2bebbb50068/IMG_5205.jpg News - Undergraduate research assistant Rohit Cherian joins the lab - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.meerslab.org/news/yu-liang-yeh-joins-the-lab-as-a-rotation-student monthly 0.5 2023-04-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62c5dea9306ff939147acecb/09bbd4b1-15fa-440d-be5e-10d390d53f15/IMG_4134.jpg News - Yu-Liang Yeh joins the lab as a rotation student! - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.meerslab.org/news/mike-is-named-a-cancer-research-foundation-young-investigator monthly 0.5 2023-03-31 https://www.meerslab.org/news/welcome-rotation-student-arnold-aj-federico monthly 0.5 2023-02-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62c5dea9306ff939147acecb/be729777-5c32-44d7-9369-7a8bffcbb775/IMG_3773.jpg News - Welcome Rotation Student Arnold (AJ) Federico! - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.meerslab.org/news/ryan-xu-joins-the-lab monthly 0.5 2023-01-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62c5dea9306ff939147acecb/d22a1418-b2d1-4bd9-ba4e-1d87b46710bd/IMG_3756.jpg News - Ryan Xu joins the lab! - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.meerslab.org/news/welcome-to-the-meers-lab-demi-zhuang monthly 0.5 2023-01-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62c5dea9306ff939147acecb/2730ea40-ec90-4daf-884a-44ac5f7943db/IMG_3706.jpg News - Welcome to the Meers Lab Demi Zhuang! - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.meerslab.org/news/welcome-to-the-meers-lab-brittany-johnson monthly 0.5 2022-11-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62c5dea9306ff939147acecb/f45f6866-636a-4715-b1d5-cb6e04fe8451/IMG_3460.jpg News - Welcome to the Meers Lab Brittany Johnson! - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.meerslab.org/news/mikes-multi-tag-chromatin-profiling-paper-is-published monthly 0.5 2022-11-01 https://www.meerslab.org/news/first-day-of-the-lab monthly 0.5 2022-09-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62c5dea9306ff939147acecb/418d4f2f-89e0-436e-a703-fe2a7516f2f1/image0.jpeg News - First day of the lab! - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.meerslab.org/news/the-meers-lab-is-opening-in-september-2022 monthly 0.5 2022-07-28 https://www.meerslab.org/home daily 1.0 2025-05-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62c5dea9306ff939147acecb/0e5d7fc8-78af-4bbf-8726-b27433e5c9d3/Screen+Shot+2022-07-06+at+1.24.54+PM.png Home - We study the interface between transcription factors and the chromatin landscape they encounter https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62c5dea9306ff939147acecb/9ab3b8c0-2023-4351-920c-233d5348b37b/Screen+Shot+2022-07-06+at+2.34.55+PM.png Home - We develop genomics techniques to observe cell-specific chromatin landscapes at high resolution https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62c5dea9306ff939147acecb/32f0521a-9f59-4c1f-bbfe-d28477526a3b/Screen+Shot+2022-08-07+at+9.14.18+PM.png Home - We apply new techniques and molecular paradigms to better understand how transcription factor-chromatin interactions play roles in disease https://www.meerslab.org/research daily 0.75 2022-10-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62c5dea9306ff939147acecb/686becfb-44f0-46d7-96ac-c1a1ec120dca/Screen+Shot+2022-07-06+at+1.24.54+PM.png Research - Transcription factor-chromatin interactions Mammalian genomes are decorated with millions of nucleosomes that each wrap ~150 base pairs of DNA in a stable configuration that enables efficient packaging into the confined nuclear space and denies access to the DNA by other nuclear factors. In order to specify cell fate, transcription factors bind to short DNA motif sequences in specific configurations throughout the genome to the exclusion of nucleosomes in order to activate the transcription of their constituent genes. A paradox therefore arises: How do transcription factors gain access to their motif targets in DNA when they are wrapped in nucleosomes to begin with? The answer to this question is fundamental to understanding how the fates of cells, our biological building blocks, are decided. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62c5dea9306ff939147acecb/3d55dfd2-e56f-4f32-a7ba-bd0862df3044/Screen+Shot+2022-07-06+at+2.34.55+PM.png Research - Cutting-edge genomics technology development The specific positions where transcription factors, nucleosomes, and other proteins bind in the genome out of the billions of available DNA base pairs reflect how genes are regulated in the cell. High-throughput DNA sequencing techniques can be used to pinpoint these positions via technologies known collectively as “chromatin profiling” techniques. We develop new, cutting-edge chromatin profiling approaches deployed at scale and in individual cells to understand how transcription factors and nucleosomes are spatially distributed in different cell types, and how those spatial distributions change across time. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62c5dea9306ff939147acecb/6f328a27-4f20-48c6-90de-8f1666d32fa3/Screen+Shot+2022-08-07+at+9.14.18+PM.png Research - Chromatin dysregulation in disease In cancer, particularly pediatric cancers that are unique in the relatively low number of somatic mutations they accumulate, the few genes that are mutated or otherwise genetically altered frequently encode proteins that contribute to chromatin structure and function. These chromatin-associated proteins employ disparate biological functions spanning global gene suppression to tissue-specific gene activation; they are ablated in a multitude of ways ranging from missense mutations to whole chromosomal rearrangements resulting novel gene fusions; and they manifest diseases as diverse as blood and brain cancers. We seek to better understand the ways in which such different cancers might be linked via their chromatin-centric pathogenesis. https://www.meerslab.org/team daily 0.75 2026-01-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62c5dea9306ff939147acecb/fec1fc55-1092-41ea-b6ce-358274c131b5/Nisar-1.jpg Team - Nisar Ahmed Edward P. Evans Postdoctoral Research Fellow Nisar earned his PhD in Genomics and Precision Medicine under the supervision of Dr. Borbala Mifsud. His doctoral research centered on the genetic and epigenetic alterations in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), employing high-throughput sequencing and advanced bioinformatics techniques. By integrating multi-omics data with machine learning models, he aimed to identify key biomarkers and develop predictive frameworks for AML relapse, with the ultimate goal of improving therapeutic strategies. As a postdoctoral researcher in the Meers Lab, Nisar is further expanding his skills in epigenomics, bioinformatics, and data analysis. His research focuses on chromatin dynamics and chromatin-associated proteins in gene regulation, with a particular emphasis on epigenetic lesions in blood cancers. Outside of the lab, he enjoys playing cricket, doing tabata and circuit, hiking, and watching sports and movies. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62c5dea9306ff939147acecb/e0f37424-9ecc-4ff0-8ae3-279f9833b4a7/_MG_3585.jpg Team - Jing Ma Senior Research Technician Jing Ma is a Senior Research Technician in the Meers Lab. She obtained her Master of Science in Plant Pathology in Stellenbosch University, South Africa, where she developed a keen interest in genetic research. In the Meers lab, she would like to further expand her skills in molecular technique, bioinformatics, data analysis and developing pre-processing pipelines for analyzing high-through epigenomics data. She likes listening to music, watching movies and hiking in her free time. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62c5dea9306ff939147acecb/abd90b9e-4250-44a6-bdcf-31356bef62b4/_MG_3109.jpg Team - Wilber Palma Molecular Genetics and Genomics PhD Student Wilber is a PhD student in the Molecular Genetics and Genomics program. He obtained his Bachelor of Science in Cell and Molecular biology from California State University, Northridge. Afterward, he worked as a Research Technician in the lab of Paul Sternberg at Caltech, where he worked on expanding the bipartite gene expression toolkit, cGAL-UAS, in the nematode C. elegans. His research interests include understanding the mechanisms of gene regulation and how dysregulation affects development. Outside of lab, he enjoys watching various sports, running, and the occasional hike. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62c5dea9306ff939147acecb/34f73596-9c2e-4abe-8587-a50f56c41bee/_MG_5505.jpg Team - Holly Godin Postdoctoral Research Associate Holly earned her PhD in Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology from Penn State University under the supervision of Dr. Lu Bai. Her doctoral work focused on developing high-throughput oligonucleotide library approaches to systematically dissect the sequence features influencing pioneer transcription factor binding to DNA, both in cells and in purified systems. As a postdoctoral researcher in the Meers lab, Holly is further investigating the rules of transcription factor engagement by developing methods to profile transcription factor binding and nucleosome positioning on single DNA molecules within cells. She is eager to expand her genetic toolbox by mastering new experimental and analytical approaches. Outside the lab, Holly enjoys exploring the city with her husband and toddler, pen-palling, playing with stickers and washi tape, and eating good food. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62c5dea9306ff939147acecb/51bdf3cb-963d-4e57-99bd-828e31069a2e/headshots-3.jpg Team - Arnold (AJ) Federico Molecular Genetics and Genomics PhD Candidate AJ is a PhD student in the Molecular Genetics and Genomics program at WashU. After a brief stint studying the UV resistance of the extremophile Deinococcus radiodurans, he investigated the Cis-regulatory architecture contributing to disease in multiple myeloma at TGen. His scientific interests are in understanding the mechanisms controlling gene regulation and the physical coordination of the chromatin landscape to yield dynamic cell states. In the Meers Lab AJ is working on multifactorial profiling approaches to investigate chromatin protein interactions in the context of development. Some of his favorite things include playing guitar, the color red, and occasional procrastination. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62c5dea9306ff939147acecb/f2ec3b39-20b4-4510-8dba-76f4e967e918/headshots-2.jpg Team - Yu-Liang Yeh Biomedical Informatics and Data Science PhD Candidate Yu-Liang is a PhD student in the program of Biomedical Informatics and Data Science. He got his MD at Taipei Medical University, where he worked on molecular phenotyping of childhood asthma. Prior to joining WashU, he worked as a postdoc at Johns Hopkins Medicine, with a project focusing on single-cell profiling of tumor microenvironments. He is particularly interested in the development and applications of single-cell technologies to understand how transcription factors determine cell fate determination. Out of the lab, he loves playing the clarinet, playing tennis with friends and swing dance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62c5dea9306ff939147acecb/9924a2c7-bd6c-4337-8756-bc4ce646a4a2/headshots-4.jpg Team - Zack Skovgaard Developmental, Regenerative, and Stem Cell Biology PhD Candidate Zack is a first year PhD Student in the Developmental, Regenerative and Stem Cell Biology Program. He previously received his master’s from California State Polytechnic University Pomona where he worked on using machine learning to understand nuclear remodeling during adipocyte differentiation. He is particularly interested in trajectory inference methods as they relate to cell state transitions. Outside of the lab, he loves ultra running, playing/watching soccer and boba. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62c5dea9306ff939147acecb/32032557-595b-4e92-a426-74ec37a6edb1/_MG_4200.jpg Team - Odessa Burlis Undergraduate Research Assistant Odessa Burlis is an incoming second year student at WashU in the College of Arts and Sciences. She grew up in St. Charles, outside of St. Louis, and is pursuing a STEM curriculum. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, playing the violin, reading, and swimming. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62c5dea9306ff939147acecb/27153faa-ff99-400c-a6ed-a0f37095ce50/_MG_0815-2.jpg Team - Michael P. Meers, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Department of Genetics Member, Center of Regenerative Medicine Member, Siteman Cancer Center Washington University St. Louis School of Medicine meers at wustl dot edu Mike is the resident lab loafer with a keen curiosity for transcription factor-chromatin interactions that occasionally manifests in the design of useful experimental techniques to address intractable puzzles in the understanding of gene regulation. On other occasions he fills time as an avid runner, hiker, baseball fan, and wearer of cheap sunglasses. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62c5dea9306ff939147acecb/12cebd25-20d7-40dc-a846-a35f299344f9/-Insert_image_here-.svg.png Team - You! Are you a passionate scientist keen on working with an inspiring team to explore the world of chromatin in development and disease? Contact us to inquire about open technician, graduate student, and postdoc positions! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62c5dea9306ff939147acecb/c08db7cf-8568-4c51-bb91-85d534fdac2f/_MG_4499.jpg Team - Edwin G. Peña Martinez Postdoctoral Research Associate; Joint with White Lab Edwin completed his PhD in Biochemistry at the University of Puerto Rico-Río Piedras under the supervision of Dr. José A. Rodríguez-Martínez. His doctoral research focused on understanding the effect of congenital heart disease (CHD)-risk non-coding variants on cardiac transcription factor (TF) function. Through a combined high-throughput approach, he quantified changes in cardiac TF binding affinity (SELEX-based assay) and gene expression (MPRA) for >3,000 CHD-risk variants. As a joint postdoctoral researcher in the Meers and White labs, Edwin aims to expand his expertise in Genetics/Genomics tools and data analysis. His research focuses on understanding the role of retinal TFs in gene regulation, development, and disease etiology. Outside the lab, Edwin enjoys doing CrossFit, playing video games, and rating brunch spots. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62c5dea9306ff939147acecb/c82b6b5c-d29a-48cd-94d3-2a5481fa9245/headshots-5.jpg Team - Cass Pitts Molecular Genetics and Genomics PhD Candidate Cass(idy) Pitts is a PhD student in the Molecular Genetics and Genomics program at WashU. She started her research endeavors by investigating the inheritance of Masai giraffe spot patterns (yes, the animal) under the direction of Dr. Douglas Cavener. She then transferred to Dr. Lu Bai's lab where she finished her undergraduate research by profiling "fragile" nucleosomes and their potential overlap with the SAGA complex, the yeast Mediator, and TFIID. Her research interests include how alterations to chromatin affect gene regulation and the vast but incremental effects of alterations to the noncoding genome. Outside of the lab, she exercises her body via CrossFit, exercises her mind by coaching field hockey goalies, and exercises her patience with crafty hobbies. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62c5dea9306ff939147acecb/1758565067416-FNNSAFF24AXWJLA46YW3/IMG_8129.jpg Team The lab's three-year anniversary party, September 2025. From left: Edwin, Wilber, Cass, Yu-Liang, Zack, AJ, Mike, Jing, Ruisi, Adriana, and Nisar https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62c5dea9306ff939147acecb/1747068019878-1A7BH8V90ZPMDHJULI89/IMG_7776.jpg Team Lab outing to a Cardinals game, May 2025. From left: Mike, Yu-Liang, Zack, Michelle, Cass, Jing, Adriana, AJ, Wilber, and Nisar https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62c5dea9306ff939147acecb/a18be8f5-c41d-4712-9bc1-1b1e43570fa0/IMG_7859.jpg Team Bee's going away and Cass's birthday party, March 2025. Top from left: Cass, Wilber, AJ, Zack, Jing, and Sefina; bottom from left: Nisar, Yu-Liang, Bee, and Adriana https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62c5dea9306ff939147acecb/e9533a57-edd7-4ca7-a065-9b0d77e9b040/IMG_4862.jpg Team Post holiday Brunch at Bowood by Niche, January 2025. From left: Jing, Bee, AJ, Zack, Nisar, Cass, Mike, Yu-Liang, and Adriana https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62c5dea9306ff939147acecb/1726197978722-SREQT7N0OEXOJO5T8CWG/Meers%2Blab-2.jpg Team At the lab's two year anniversary party, September 2024. From left: Adriana, Mike, Cass, AJ, Zack, Nisar, Bee, and Yu-Liang https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62c5dea9306ff939147acecb/1717620695750-EDPEKJJ0G7IB8O34QROF/IMG_2589.jpg Team Taking a break during the Stormo Symposium, May 2024. From left: Cass, Yu-Liang, AJ, Zack, Mike, Steve Henikoff, and Bee https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62c5dea9306ff939147acecb/1712938840807-9N2TDTDD3BL9PALX022W/IMG_6374.jpg Team Lab outing to the Up-Down, April 2024. From left: Yu-Liang, Mike, Cass, Rohit, Bee, Humza, AJ, and Brittany https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62c5dea9306ff939147acecb/469a4f7a-48d8-41a2-9482-ad7a2202da51/IMG_5845.jpg Team Lab Lunch at Sauce on the Side, November 2023. Clockwise from front left: Xilin, Bee, Thai, Rohit, Brittany, Zack, Mike, AJ, and Yu-Liang https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62c5dea9306ff939147acecb/c82e6899-39c4-4195-a8b8-9cb8a884ef04/IMG_5526.jpg Team Meers Lab 1st anniversary party on the front lawn of the Couch Building, September 2023. From left: Brittany, Zack, Ryan, Xilin, Rohit, Bee, AJ, Mike, and Yu-Liang https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62c5dea9306ff939147acecb/ceb341ce-0518-4250-baf9-0a3ee5e9c863/Cardinalsgame_230830.jpg Team Lab outing to a St. Louis Cardinals game, August 2023. From left: Mike, Demi, AJ, Brittany, Yu-Liang, and Becky https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62c5dea9306ff939147acecb/774c2e85-c9e9-4f9b-bc1e-bb9b0ab1cb11/IMG_4150.jpg Team Lab lunch at Thai Bowl, April 2023. From left: Demi, Brittany, AJ, Yu-Liang, Mike, and Ryan https://www.meerslab.org/pubs daily 0.75 2025-09-22 https://www.meerslab.org/contact-us daily 0.75 2023-01-18 https://www.meerslab.org/apply daily 0.75 2025-06-16 https://www.meerslab.org/home-1 daily 0.75 2024-04-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62c5dea9306ff939147acecb/0e5d7fc8-78af-4bbf-8726-b27433e5c9d3/Screen+Shot+2022-07-06+at+1.24.54+PM.png Home (Copy) - We study the interface between transcription factors and the chromatin landscape they encounter https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62c5dea9306ff939147acecb/9ab3b8c0-2023-4351-920c-233d5348b37b/Screen+Shot+2022-07-06+at+2.34.55+PM.png Home (Copy) - We develop genomics techniques to observe cell-specific chromatin landscapes at high resolution https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62c5dea9306ff939147acecb/32f0521a-9f59-4c1f-bbfe-d28477526a3b/Screen+Shot+2022-08-07+at+9.14.18+PM.png Home (Copy) - We apply new techniques and molecular paradigms to better understand how transcription factor-chromatin interactions play roles in disease