Chemical protein synthesis provides a powerful means to prepare novel, modified proteins with atomic-level precision, offering unprecedented opportunities to understand fundamental biological processes.1 Of particular interest is gene expression, which is controlled through interactions between transcription factors (TFs) and DNA. This presentation will highlight the power of combining total synthesis and late-stage transformations to generate complex, modified proteins for deciphering the molecular roles of post-translational modifications (PTMs) in TFs regulation. Specific examples will focus on the synthesis of site-specifically phosphorylated and acetylated TFs, such as the Myc/Max system.2, 3 Remarkably, these studies revealed that phosphorylation and acetylation patterns modulate Max–DNA interactions by altering DNA binding affinity and sequence specificity. Importantly, such mechanistic insights led to the development of novel bioactive miniproteins derived from Max (μMax), capable of inhibiting oncogene expression and cancer cell proliferation through antagonistic binding to target genes in cancer cells, paving the way for the development of new therapeutic proteins targeting oncogene expression.4-6
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\r\n1. O. Harel, M. Jbara, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 2023, 62, e202217716
\r\n2. R. Nithun, Y. Yao, X. Lin, S. Habiballah, A. Afek, M. Jbara, Angew. Chem. In. Ed., 2023, 62, e202310913
\r\n3. R. Nithun, Y. Yao, O. Harel, S. Habiballah, A. Afek, M. Jbara, ACS Central Science, 2024, 10, 1295–1303
\r\n4. X. Lin, S. Mandal, R. Nithun, R. Kolla, B. Bouri, H. Lashuel, M. Jbara, JACS, 2024, 146, 25788
\r\n5. X. Lin, O. Harel, M. Jbara, Angew. Chem. In. Ed., 2024, 63, e202317511
\r\n6. O. Harel, F. Nadal-Bufi, R. Nithun, Y. Yao, A. Afek, M. Vendrell, M. Jbara, JACS, 2025, 147, 46, 42647
Access to genetic information within the cell nucleus is regulated by the distribution of nucleosomes, which are the basic unit of chromatin. Local access to specific genomic regions is facilitated by repositioning nucleosomes to enable transcription and other nuclear processes. Nucleosome positioning is primarily regulated by ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling enzymes (CRs) that belong to the Snf2-type helicase family. These enzymes disrupt histone-DNA contacts by consuming ATP. The functions of CRs can be redundant or essential, complicating their study in vivo. To address this, we employ a unique bottom-up approach, in which we reconstitute chromatin in vitro using purified proteins and a yeast genomic plasmid library. To elucidate the diverse remodeling functions of CRs, we add purified CRs in combination with various transcription factors to the in vitro reconstituted chromatin. The resulting changes in nucleosome positioning are monitored using MNase-seq. Depending on the type of CR used, we observe distinct nucleosome positioning patterns. Furthermore, we have expanded our in vitro reconstitution approach to explore the 3D genome organization of reconstituted chromatin, discovering a role for CRs in the 3D genome organization of S. cerevisiae.
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","image_description":"","creation_date":"2026-03-09T10:48:30","last_modification_date":"2026-03-09T10:48:30","link_label":"","link_url":"","canceled":"False","cancel_reason":"","place_and_room":"DLLEL 0 28","url_place_and_room":"https://plan.epfl.ch/?room==DLLEL%200%2028","url_online_room":"","spoken_languages":["https://memento.epfl.ch/api/v1/spoken_languages/2/?format=json"],"speaker":"EPFL N-pulse association","organizer":"EPFL N-pulse association","contact":"Roman Danylovych <roman.danylovych@epfl.ch>","is_internal":"False","theme":"","vulgarization":{"id":1,"fr_label":"Tout public","en_label":"General public"},"registration":{"id":2,"fr_label":"Sur invitation","en_label":"Invitation required"},"keywords":"","file":null,"icalendar_url":"https://memento.epfl.ch/event/export/120016/","category":{"id":1,"code":"CONF","fr_label":"Conférences - Séminaires","en_label":"Conferences - Seminars","activated":true},"academic_calendar_category":null,"domains":[],"mementos":["https://memento.epfl.ch/api/v1/mementos/398/?format=json"]},{"id":71388,"title":"EHL HumanX Summit 2026","slug":"ehl-humanx-summit-2026-2","event_url":"https://memento.epfl.ch/event/ehl-humanx-summit-2026-2","visual_url":"https://memento.epfl.ch/image/32737/200x112.jpg","visual_large_url":"https://memento.epfl.ch/image/32737/720x405.jpg","visual_maxsize_url":"https://memento.epfl.ch/image/32737/max-size.jpg","lang":"en","start_date":"2026-05-20","end_date":"2026-05-20","start_time":"08:00:00","end_time":"17:00:00","description":"In a global investment landscape increasingly driven by technology, automation, and scale, EHL has chosen to anchor its Summit in what has always defined its community: the power of human experience.
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\r\nThe Investor Track on Day 2 (May 20th) is designed as a curated gateway into Europe’s most promising human-centric innovation — ventures that use technology to elevate people, not replace them. These startups operate at the intersection of Hospitality and service industries, including food&beverages, travel and tourism, luxury and retail, education, nutrition and wellbeing and more.
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\r\nThe audience will be a diverse coalition of seed and Series A investors, including business angel networks, VCs, corporate VCs, family offices, and individual investors who believe that the future will be shaped by purpose-driven technology that enhances human potential.
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\r\nFull agenda available here
The Swiss startup days (SUD) are the leading deep-tech catalyst event where Switzerland’s innovation bridges are built.
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\r\nFrom mindset to connection to action, SUD empowers entrepreneurs, investors, corporates, and enablers to create a stronger, more connected, and more resilient startup ecosystem - all in a single day.
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\r\nOn 21 May 2026, the entire ecosystem comes together for a full day of keynotes, sessions, and startup pitches, plus 1:1 meetings, a buzzing exhibition area, and 1,500 participants ready to exchange ideas, insights, and opportunities.
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\r\nBe part of the catalyst event to accelerate your innovation journey.
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\r\nFree tickets (limited to EPFL Startups and first come first serve) - contact Aurelie
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