Contents
Charles David Allis
Showing how histone modifications help regulate gene activity.
Chromatin research · Histone modifications
- Born
- 22 March 1951
- Birthplace
- Cincinnati
- Died
- 8 January 2023
More people
Charles David Allis
American molecular biologist whose research helped establish modern chromatin biology. He studied how chemical changes to DNA-associated proteins influence gene expression.
Early life
Cincinnati beginnings
Studied biology at the University of Cincinnati, where undergraduate research drew him into laboratory science. Completed graduate study at Indiana.
Career
- 1981
Baylor
Joined the medical college’s faculty.
- 1996
Histone enzyme
His group connected a histone-modifying enzyme with transcriptional activation.
- 2003
Rockefeller
Established his laboratory at the university.
Contributions
Chromatin research
Linked histone acetylation machinery to gene activation.
Histone modifications
Investigated how chemical marks contribute to gene regulation.
Beyond work
Family and mentorship
Shared his life with his wife Barbara and their three children. After his death, his family established a Rockefeller University fund supporting the mentorship of young scientists.
Sources & photo credit
Biography and career ↗Biographical references ↗Additional biographical or achievement source ↗Additional biographical or achievement source ↗Original photograph. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
Photo: Mcerio. CC BY-SA 3.0 · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.