$10 million gift creates new center at Northwestern University to study effects of environment on genes

A new $10 million gift from University trustees and supporters Louis A. Simpson '58 and Kimberly K. Querrey will create a center at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine to study the effects of environment on the activation and expression of genes.

The new Simpson Querrey Center for Epigenetics will investigate how environmental factors such as emotional experiences, chemical exposure, obesity, exercise, diet and drug therapies can modify genes packaged in human chromatin, causing them to become more or less receptive to new biochemical signals. Epigenetic modifications of chromatin can have a direct effect on the regulation of gene expression. Some of this regulation is good, and some of it causes disease.

"Through their exceptional support of the sciences at Northwestern, Kimberly and Lou are transforming our ability to understand, diagnose and treat disease," said University President Morton Schapiro. "We are truly grateful for their continued partnership."

The center brings together experts in biochemistry, molecular genetics, computational biology, fundamental biology, epidemiology and clinical medicine to develop foundational insights about how environmental conditions impact the human genome using sophisticated molecular, biochemical and computational methods. The Simpson and Querrey gift will support the center's operations, seminar and symposium programs, pilot studies by Northwestern faculty and the new Feinberg Fellows in Epigenetics program. It will also provide funding for the recruitment of outstanding investigators in the area of epigenetics.

"Epigenetic-driven insights are proving fundamental to a myriad of diseases including cancer, heart, immunologic and neurological conditions," said Dr. Eric Neilson, vice president for medical affairs and the Lewis Landsberg Dean at Feinberg. "Understanding the details of how individual genes, groups of genes and environmental factors work together to determine the human condition is at the forefront of medicine today."

The center will be led by Ali Shilatifard, the Robert Francis Furchgott Professor of Biochemistry and Pediatrics and chair of the department of biochemistry and molecular genetics at Feinberg. Shilatifard's work focuses on understanding the intricate chromatin mechanisms that regulate gene expression. This year, Shilatifard's laboratory and his collaborators published several groundbreaking discoveries reporting the development of epigenetic targeted therapeutics for childhood leukemia, childhood brain cancer and adult triple negative breast cancer. One study on childhood brain tumors led to a Phase I clinical trial planned for next year at the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago.

"Solving the world's biggest problems requires creativity and collaboration," Querrey said. "At Northwestern, leading scientists are coming together to study not just the body but also the way the environment and our decisions affect our health. Lou and I are thrilled to be a part of this groundbreaking work."