Development and functioning of higher organisms critically depends on properly regulated gene expression. Regulation of gene expression occurs primarily at the initial step (transcription) and involves DNA sequences, protein factors and dynamic changes in structure of DNA-protein complexes (chromatin). The major research goal in my laboratory is to understand the molecular mechanisms and regulation of the vital process of eukaryotic transcription in chromatin, and the role of the factors involved in cancer development and human aging (e.g. hFACT and hPARP1) in this process. This goal will be achieved using a combination of molecular genetics, genomics, biochemical, single-particle, structural and computational modeling approaches.