The Danko lab studies how our DNA sequences control complex programs of gene transcription. Our work is primarily focused on understanding how natural genetic differences between species affect the various steps in the RNA polymerase II transcription cycle. Our work provides insight into the molecular basis behind phenotypic differences between species. In addition, studying the millions of naturally occurring random genetic mutation “experiments” also presents an exciting opportunity to understand the fundamental principles by which our DNA sequences encode gene expression.

We are an interdisciplinary research group making extensive use of both computational and molecular tools. Our specialty is developing statistical and machine-learning approaches to analyze functional genomic sequencing data prepared using Hi-C, ATAC-seq, PRO-seq, RNA-seq, and related assays.