Research Focus

The primary goal of the Maunakea lab is to better understand the molecular basis of environmental and epigenetic interactions that consequently influence cellular phenotypes relevant to health outcomes, in particular those that underlie neurological deficiencies, cardiometabolic disorders, and cancer. The majority of the research in the lab involves investigating how DNA methylation and histone modifications collectively operate to inform transcript heterogeneity through interactions with the basal transcription machinery, pre-mRNA splicing factors, and chromatin-associated proteins in the context of normal development and how alterations to these components of the chromatin landscape contribute to disease. To enable this research, high-throughput massively parallel genomic sequencing coupled with various immunoprecipitation technologies (i.e. MeDIP-Seq, ChIP-Seq, ChIA-PET, HiC-Seq, etc) and transcriptomic assays (i.e. RNA-Seq, Ampli-Seq, etc) are integrated using bioinformatic tools. It is anticipated that results from these research activities will lead to a better understanding of disease etiology, and thereby provide new avenues for disease diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. Partnerships and collaborations with several other divisions within the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (i.e. Institute for Biogenesis Research, Pacific Biosciences Research Center, Office of Public Health Studies, Hawaiʻinuiakea School of Hawaiian Knowledge, University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center, University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization), University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, Chaminade University of Honolulu, MAʻO Organic Farms, and others collectively contribute to research and educational activities in the Maunakea lab.

Inherent in the traditional Native Hawaiian concept of health (mauli ola) is the understanding that environmental factors, including nutrition and social behaviors, trans-generationally impact health outcomes in individuals and communities. Epigenetic mechanisms may now explain molecular links between these environmental factors and health outcomes. Research in the Maunakea lab focuses on elucidating the molecular functions of epigenetic mechanisms and how they play a role in gene-environment interactions that underlie diseases of health disparity afflicting the Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander populations through a Community-based Participatory Research (CBPR) approach and community partnerships. These studies also involve investigating the relationship between the human gut microbiome composition (using a 16S metagenomics approach), epigenetic regulation of immune cell function, and health, thereby empowering community-based organizations with evidence-based research.