Our research aims at unraveling the molecular basis of development and differentiation emanating from the genome and epigenome in the context of health and disease with emphasis on cancer. The major focus is on the regulatory networks in human and mouse as well as Plasmodium falciparum, the causative agent of malaria. State-of-the-art technological developments are applied ranging from single molecule studies through to genome wide elucidation of genetic and epigenetic pathways and mechanisms. A Next Generation ultra high throughput single molecule sequencing platform is operational in the department to analyze transcription factor binding sites, epigenetic marks, MeDIP-seq and MethylCap-seq for DNA-methylation and RNA-seq at a comprehensive genome wide scale. In depths analysis of the genome wide data is performed and sustained by our own bioinformatic team as well as with outside collaborators. The group participates in a number of international consortia tackling pathways and molecular mechanisms in lineage commitment of (embryonic) stem cells and pluripotency (Heroic, PlurySys, Gencodys), nuclear receptor action (TI-Pharma) and cancer (Epitron, CancerDIP, Basis, ICGC). High accuracy mass spectrometric approaches are used to identify and to characterize protein complexes that write, erase and translate epigenetic marks.