Birgitte Regenberg's research group

Our research focuses on genetic mechanisms for cell-cell variation in eukaryotic cells and their impact on diseases and chromosome evolution.

We recently discovered that circular DNA of chromosomal origin is not just a curiosum but is in fact an abundant carrier of genetic information and that DNA circles are produced from all parts of the genome in several eukaryotic species and across several cell types (yeast, bird, human healthy somatic tissue and germline cells).

Genes on circular DNA are expressed in cancer where they contribute to tumorigenesis and drug resistance, and in unicellular yeast where circular DNA can provide a selective advantage. These discoveries solved a longstanding question in genetics concerning deleted DNA – we now know the fate of at least part of the sequence material that is occasionally deleted in both somatic and germline cells.

These discoveries were made possible because of a technological breakthrough after we combined hypersensitive purification of circular DNA with the most advanced DNA sequencing and novel bioinformatics tools. We have also developed targeted DNA circularization tools in yeast and for different human genotypes, which provide the technological basis for a much-needed research model for testing the significance of circular DNA in disease (specifically cancer) and chromosome evolution.

Our research is primarily focused on:

1. The use of circular DNA as a marker for somatic mutations in humans and mice (specifically cancers)
2. Explaining the factors causing and maintaining circular DNA (humans and yeast)
3. Measuring the effects of circular DNA on aging (mice and yeast)
4. Chromosomal evolution (yeast and mammals)

Innovation Foundation Denmark

FET-OPEN Horizon 2020

VILLUM FONDEN

Novo Nordisk Foundation

Danish Council for Independent Research | FNU

Carlsbergfondet

Do you study biochemistry, bioinformatics, biology or biomedicine? Are you interested in genetics of diseases, evolution or genomics? Then one of our projects might be interesting for you. We address the following questions in our projects:  

• Which factors are involved in the formation of circular DNA?
• How does circular DNA affect aging?
• Are circular DNAs key drivers in gene amplifications?
• Is transcription important for formation of circular DNA?
• How do we best isolate and map circular DNA?

https://www.jove.com/video/54239/genome-wide-purification-extrachromosomal-circular-dna-from

https://www.jove.com/video/2383/pseudomonas-aeruginosa-saccharomyces-cerevisiae-biofilm-flow

2020
The curious DNA circles that make treating cancer so hard
Chemical & Engineering News

What is extrachromosomal circular DNA and what does it do?
Clinical Chemistry

2019
Scientists Are Just Beginning to Understand Mysterious DNA Circles Common in Cancer Cells
The New York Times

Epigenetics and exercise
RiffReporter.de

From foundation to researcher: The Innovation Foundation distributes millions for the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.
Altinget.dk