Christopher L. Baker, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Conducting research to determine how natural genetic variation influences chromatin biology, and, ultimately, phenotypic diversity.
I am broadly interested in two main aspects of genetics, heredity and variation. My lab focuses on how natural genetic variation shapes genome function in development. My lab combines both experimental bench work and computational methods to explore the impact of genetic variation on chromatin state and gene regulation. I have established expertise in a variety of quantitative approaches including functional genomics, proteomics, bioinformatics, and systems genetics. During my time at The Jackson Laboratory I have applied my broad skills in molecular biology to develop new functional genomic tools to investigate the role of epigenetic modifications on meiotic recombination and chromosome organization. Together this work demonstrated that meiotic chromatin undergoes a dynamic epigenetic reprogramming important to facilitate proper gamete formation. My lab now is focused on determining how genetic variation influences the epigenome and how these molecular features shape bias in early differentiation using embryonic stem cells as model systems.
Grants, honors and accomplishments
2002 & 2003 Holzer Memorial Scholarship, a merit based award, University of Vermont
2003 Class of 1939 Scholarship, a merit based award, University of Vermont
2003 James E. Ludlow Endowed Scholarship Award, University of Vermont
2003 & 2004 Hughes Endeavor for Life Science Excellence Grant (HELiX), competitive undergraduate research award, University of Vermont
2006-2008 National Institute for Health Pre-doctoral Training Grant, Dartmouth Medical School
2007 Albert J. Ryan Fellow, Albert J. Ryan Foundation
2008 Society for Research on Biological Rhythms (SRBR) Excellence Award
2009 Rosaline Borison Memorial Fellowship
2010 John W. Strohbehn Award for Excellence in Biomedical Research, Dartmouth Medical School (awarded to a single graduating Ph.D. student each year)
2010-2012 T32 Postdoctoral Fellowship, The Jackson Laboratory
2012-2013 F32 NRSA NIH Postdoctoral Fellowship
2012-2013 Ruth I. Kirschstein National Research Service AwardInpidual postdoctoral fellowship
2013 Outstanding Oral Presentation, 27th International Mammalian Genome Conference
2014 Outstanding Oral Presentation, 28th International Mammalian Genome Conference
2016 PALM (Promoting Active Learning and Mentoring) Fellowship. See press NSF funded fellowship to promote long-term mentorship to improve undergraduate education.
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Research HighlightMay 09, 2023Variability in the earliest stages of development
The processes enabling pluripotency at the very beginning of life are more different between mouse strains than you might expect. -
Research HighlightJanuary 04, 2018The state of the science in culturing totipotent stem cells
A review in the journal Cell Stem Cells by two JAX scientists reports on the latest efforts to isolate and culture the elusive populations of stem cells that most closely resemble very early (two-cell stage) totipotent cells. -
Research HighlightMarch 03, 2016Overcoming dysfunction in the genome
We carry genetic traits from both our parents. But did you know that we are often healthy even when we have two faulty copies of the same gene?
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Research HighlightJanuary 29, 2020Pioneers in recombination
In a paper in Genes & Development, Assistant Professor Chris Baker led a team that shows two proteins, PRDM9 and HELLS, form a complex that binds to hot spots and opens the site to the DNA breakage and repair needed for recombination. As “pioneer factors” in the process, both proteins are needed for successful meiosis and fertility. -
Press ReleaseOctober 18, 2016Christopher Baker promoted to JAX faculty
Baker explores the genetic and molecular regulatory system controlling the location and rate of meiotic recombination, the process that generates new genetic variation in sexually reproducing organisms.