Although every gene exists within every cell in the human body, only a small percentage of genes are activated in any given cell. To manage this genetic information efficiently, nature has evolved a sophisticated system that facilitates access to specific genes. Dr. Allis and his colleagues study the DNA-histone protein complex called "chromatin" that packages the genetic information that exists within each cell and serves as a means of gene regulation that lies outside of the DNA itself (the basis of "epigenetics"; see Allis et al., 2006 for a textbook dedicated to this field).
