Research output per year
Research output per year
SE1 9RT
United Kingdom
Main research areas:
Intragenic CpG islands and imprinted retrogenes as models to study gene expression
Epigenetic factors in heart valve development
Epigenetic mechansisms in cancer including pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas
DNA carries heritable information and genes guide development to adulthood. Epigenetic factors influence gene expression through modifications to DNA. We are interested in studying epigenetic factors genomewide in order to understand mechanisms of gene regulation. A class of genes known as imprinted genes provide an excellent model system for studying epigenetic mechanisms. These genes are expressed in a parent of origin specific way, in other words one parental allele is active and one is silenced in the same cell. The group has used bioinformatics tools for the analysis of genomic sequence and epigenetic features genomewide to identify a group of genes known as imprinted retrogenes. We have shown using these model loci that intragenic promoters and epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation can direct alternative mRNA processing including alternative polyadenylation. This has implications for transcriptome diversity and tissue specific gene regulation.
We are delineating epigenetic regulators in the developing heart, particulalry in endocardial cell specification that distinguish this cell population from other somatic endothelial cells genomewide. Identifying factors that specifiy heart valves will inform on developmental defects as well as regenerative strategies.
We also work on cancer epigenetics and tumour metabolism in neuroendocrine cancers. We are investigating pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas using genomic and epigenomic methodologies to study the epigenome. We are also developing computational methods to predict metastasis in these rare inherited tumours.
For details of post-doctoral and PhD student lab members working on these projects please click on our personal web page link:
https://www.kcl.ac.uk/people/rebecca-oakey
https://www.kcl.ac.uk/research/epigenetics-group
Epigenetics; polyadenylation; imprinting; bioinformatics;transcriptomics, epigenomics; human imprinted diseases; endocardial cells and valve development; epigenomics of cancer, host epigenetics in infection
Dean for Doctoral Studies, King's College London, Jan 2018-Dec 2022
GSTT Boimedical Research Centre Training Lead 2018-2022
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
Doctor of Philosophy, The structure of alphoid satellite DNA on normal and abnormal human Y chromosomes, University of Oxford
Award Date: 1 Jan 1989
Bachelor of Science, UWE Bristol
Award Date: 1 Jan 1986
Policy Officer, Genetics Society
Apr 2018 → Mar 2022
VP External Relations, Genetics Society
2012 → 2016
Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Oakey, R., Brown, M., Cardoso, J., Curcin, V., Fraternali, F., Ourselin, S., Stahl, D., Vigilante, A. & academic, A.
1/05/2021 → 31/10/2023
Project: Research
Gautel, M., Ellison, G., Ochala, J., Oakey, R., Zammit, P., Tucker, A., Meyer, M., Knight, R., Green, J. & Shanahan, C.
1/10/2018 → 30/09/2023
Project: Research
1/01/2017 → 31/10/2023
Project: Research
AMEND Association for Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Disorders
1/03/2021 → 28/02/2022
Project: Research
Rebecca Oakey (Reviewer)
Activity: Other › Types of External academic engagement - Contribution to the work of national or international committees and working groups
Rebecca Oakey (Invited speaker)
Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Participation in workshop, seminar, course
Rebecca Oakey (Invited speaker)
Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Participation in conference
Rebecca Oakey (Chair)
Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Participation in conference
Rebecca Oakey (Member)
Activity: Other › Types of External academic engagement - Membership of peer review panel or committee
Oakey, Rebecca (Recipient), 1 Jun 2011
Prize: Election to learned society
Oakey, Rebecca (Recipient), 1 Apr 2011
Prize: Election to learned society
Oakey, Rebecca (Recipient), 1 Dec 1996
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
Oakey, Rebecca (Recipient), 1 May 2018
Prize: Fellowship awarded competitively