For Scientists, By Scientists, Bringing Innovation in Epigenetics

In this episode, Andrea Johnstone, Senior Director of Product Development at EpiCypher, talks about epigenetics and how they develop next-generation tech and tools to target chromatin regulatory processes, restore normal gene expression, and prevent disease. Andrea explains thoroughly what epigenetics consist of, what chromatin is, and the role that it plays in cell development. She highlights the importance of LabOps in organization, communication, and other task management processes within EpiCypher as they develop and ship kits and products to thousands of labs worldwide. She also discusses the future of LabOps in the company as epigenomics processes generate tons of data daily.

Tune in and learn about epigenetics and how LabOps support this field!

Summary:

There is a gold rush happening in the epigenetics field, and this company is offering the most sophisticated tools to find it!

About Andrea Johnstone:

Andrea Johnstone, Ph.D., is the Senior Director of Product Development at EpiCypher, a developer and provider of innovative chromatin research technologies designed to advance understanding of gene regulation and improve human health. In her role, she leads a team of product managers and coordinates with interdisciplinary stakeholders to bring new products and services to market and expand into untapped research and clinical applications. Andrea earned her Ph.D. in Neuroscience at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. As a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Center for Therapeutic Innovation at the University of Miami, Andrea identified novel epigenetic signaling pathways and executed early-stage drug discovery pipelines to better understand and treat neurological disease. In 2016, she joined EpiCypher as a Research Scientist in the early stages of the startup biotech company. By helping to build EpiCypher’s lab operations and commercial development pipelines from the ground up, she quickly ascended into her current role bringing transformative chromatin research technologies to labs all over the world.

Things You’ll Learn:

• Genetics and environment are the two main factors influencing how organisms develop and their health. 
• Epigenetics is at the crux of organisms and their health.
• DNA by itself is not functional, it’s a template that the cell can use to make decisions. 
• DNA needs to be transcribed into RNA, and that, in turn, is translated into protein.
• Chromatin is the regulatory layer between DNA and RNA that is involved in packaging the DNA into the cell.
• A few pharma companies and clinically approved drugs target chromatin regulatory processes to restore normal gene expression and prevent disease.
• The nucleosome is the basic repeating unit of chromatin.
• The earlier an R&D company hires a full-time lab operations person, the better.
• LabOps ensures that data is organized, accessible, and open for people to use as a resource.

Resources:

• Connect with and follow Andrea Johnstone on LinkedIn.
• Follow EpiCypher on LinkedIn and Twitter.
• Discover the EpiCypher Website!
• Connect with and follow co-host Kerri Anderson on LinkedIn.
• Connect with and follow co-host Samantha Black on LinkedIn.