88 Research Reflection by Zhenyu Yang

Faculty Mentor: Katharine Diehl (Medicinal Chemistry, University of Utah)

My undergraduate research experience has been both intellectually enriching and transformative, significantly shaping my academic and career goals. My work focused on histone lactylation (Kla), a recently discovered post-translational modification that bridges cellular metabolism and chromatin regulation. Through this research, I explored how Kla functions as a dynamic epigenetic marker, influencing chromatin structure and gene transcription in response to metabolic changes. Using semisynthetic nucleosome probes and proteomics analysis, our team identified proteins that preferentially bind to lactylated histones, providing new insights into chromatin organization and its metabolic responsiveness. This hands-on experience not only deepened my understanding of epigenetics and histone biology but also honed my skills in experimental design, data analysis, and scientific communication. It has fueled my passion for research and affirmed my commitment to pursuing graduate studies, where I aim to further investigate the complex interplay between metabolism and gene regulation.