CURRENT MEMBERS

Nicole J. Francis, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator, Biochemistry of Epigenetic Inheritance research unit ​

• Associate IRCM Research Professor
• Associate Research Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Université de Montréal
• Adjunct Professor, Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University

​[email protected]
(514) 987-5558

Ashish Bihani, PhD

Post-doctoral Fellow, McGill University,  Canada

Background: Biochemistry
​I am interested in the 3-D functional organization of biological material. Passionate about understanding how this material can encode memory, I joined Francis group in April, 2023. I am aiming to probe how Polycomb Group proteins contribute to storing and maintaining memory in eukaryotic chromatin beyond its DNA sequence. For this purpose, I am developing rapid depletion tools for the depletion of these proteins.

​BIHANI Ashish <[email protected]>​

Tim Gemeinhardt, M.Sc.

Ph.D. Student

 Hometown: Fulda, Germany
Background: Biochemistry (Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany)​
Based on my interest in molecular mechanisms of epigenetics and developmental biology, I started my PhD in Dr Francis' lab in 2020. Guided by experimental and computational approaches, I hope to contribute to our understanding of the biochemistry and biophysics that govern the inheritance of epigenetic information. My research focusses on the role of phase separation in epigenetic inheritance by Polycomb Group proteins.

[email protected]
LinkedIn
​​

Djamouna SIHOU, M.Sc.

Ph.D. Student

Background: M.Sc in Biochemistry (University of Bordeaux, France). 
Hometown: Reunion Island, France
I joined the Dr. Francis lab in May 2018. My research project focuses on interactions between a Polycomb protein (Pc) and chromatin during mitosis in order to have a better understanding of epigenetic inheritance during the cell cycle.  To achieve this aim, I use a split SNAP tag protein complementation assay to visualize Pc-histone interactions in microscopy. This tool is under development to be used in living cells and track Pc-histone interactions during dynamic cell cycle events with a high temporal resolution.

[email protected]

Nanu

PhD student, Biochemistry, University of Montreal, Canada

Bio: As a curious person, I'm always seeking out new knowledge, topics and discoveries. I joined Dr. Francis' lab in May 2023 as a PhD Candidate, where I'm delving into the complex interplay between proteins and DNA. My research specifically focuses on the role of the Polycomb Group protein Polyhomeotic in chromatin organization and gene regulation through phase separation. My ultimate goal is to contribute positively to this field and better understand the intricacies involved. When the pipettes are set aside, you can find me indulging in my love for sci-fi and thriller movies, or diving into the depths of history.

Pierre  Vidalenc

MSc Student (Msc2), Université de Paris Cité (Paris 13ème), France

Background: 
With a growing interest in genetics, i joined Dr Francis lab as an intern to work on Polycomb proteins and try to better understand their involvment in epigenetic memory.
I currently assist Djamouna on her project to develop a protein complementation assay to map and monitor Polycomb protein-chromatin interactions

​VIDALENC Pierre <[email protected]>​

Jessica Adams

BSc Student, Universite de Montreal, Canada

Background: Biochemistry
I am joining Dr. Francis’s lab in the summer of 2023 in order to understand a novel activity of the Polycomb protein PSC. PSC can alter DNA topology, and form a covalent complex with DNA. I aim to uncover the biochemical basis of this activity.

​Jessica Adams <[email protected]>​

ALUMNI

Research Associates:
Elias Seif
Research Assistants:
Christine Munger
Victoria Chiwara
Julien Malette
Aurélie Huang Sung
Elodie Boulier
​Postdoctoral fellows:
Nazar Mashtalir
Yoon Soon Kang
Jin Joo Kang
PhD students:
Célia Alecki
Masters students:
Osvaldo Arias Pérez
Radmir Sarsenov
Karthik Eswara​
Aurélie Huang Sung
​Ibani Kapur
​Jyoti Sharma
Interns:
Mélanie Dominique
Undergraduate students:
Hannah Pitas
Jian Qi (Steven) Luo
Asma Khamis
Kane Nguyen
Alexander Kaltashov
Vincent Lapointe-Roberge
Hannah Cho
Shivneet GIll
Charles Sasseville
Masoud (Rana) Masuduzzaman
Calvin Kwok
David Feiter
Joseph Yang
​Serene Yu