Christopher T. Gregg

Christopher T. Gregg, PhD

Languages spoken: English

Academic Information

Departments Primary - Neurobiology , Adjunct - Human Genetics

Lab

Research Interests

  • Genomics
  • Machine Learning Artificial Intelligence
  • Neurosciences
  • Motivated Behaviors
  • Neuronal Circuitry
  • Human and Mouse Genetics
  • Epigenetics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genome Engineering
  • Genomic and Personalized Medicine
  • Computational Biology
  • Brain Diseases
  • Evolution

Dr. Christopher Gregg's research focuses on learning how gene regulatory mechanisms shape brain function, behavior, and disease. His work is centered in four major areas. First, his lab is working to uncover conserved “master” cis-regulatory elements (CREs) shaping mammalian disease phenotypes. He is especially focused on uncovering CREs controlled by metabolic signals in the mammalian hypothalamus and have also devised evolutionary and comparative genomics strategies to uncover important CREs by analyzing the genomes of species that evolved “biomedical superpowers”. His lab is developing novel genome and epigenome-editing technologies for functional studies of these genetic elements. Second, his lab investigates gene regulatory mechanisms at the allele and cellular level. The Gregg lab discovered novel genomic imprinting effects that we call “non-canonical imprinting”, as well as novel non-genetic allelic effects that cause random allelic expression in the mammalian brain. Third, the lab is focused on understanding how gene regulatory mechanisms affect complex, naturalistic behaviors and decision making in health & disease states. They developed new behavioral and machine learning based approaches to do this work, which revealed that complex foraging patterns are constructed from finite, genetically controlled behavioral sequences that the Gregg lab calls “modules”. The lab developed computational methods for mapping biology onto specific components of behavior for a field that they call, “Behavior Cartography”. Finally, Dr Gregg has translated his insights into how to understand and analyze complex naturalistic behavior using artificial intelligence to create solutions for massively scalable precision medicine and improved patient care in start up companies and various clinical studies in cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and mental health.

Research Statement

Christopher Gregg PhD. is currently a tenured associate professor in the Department of Neurobiology and adjunct in Human Genetics at the University of Utah School of Medicine. His lab’s basic research program at the University of Utah aims to “identify the most important gene regulatory mechanisms in the genome and make them useful”. The Gregg lab focuses on studying mechanistic links between metabolism and gene expression in the brain to understand decision-making behaviors, brain aging, neurodegenerative diseases, and mental health. The lab has expertise in comparative genomics, single cell multi-omics, CRISPR-Cas9 editing, mouse genetics, and computational approaches to behavior and ethology. He is also the co-founder and CSO for Storyline Health (www.storylinehealth.com) and the Uncharted Health Masterclass for Cancer Patients (www.unchartedhealth.org), and a scientific advisor for Rubicon AI and DepoIQ. Dr. Gregg leads both basic research and translational research programs.

Education History

Other Training Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
 Certificate
Other Training Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
 Certificate
Postdoctoral Fellowship Harvard University
 Postdoctoral Fellow
Doctoral Training Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary
 PhD
Undergraduate University of Lethbridge
 BSc

Selected Publications

Journal Article

  1. Ravens A, Stacher-Hrndli CN, Emery J, Steinwand S, Shepherd JD, Gregg C (2023). Arc regulates a second-guessing cognitive bias during naturalistic foraging through effects on discrete behavior modules. iScience, 26(5), 106761. (Read full article)
  2. Kravitz SN, Ferris E, Love MI, Thomas A, Quinlan AR, Gregg C (2023). Random allelic expression in the adult human body. Cell Rep, 42(1), 111945. (Read full article)
  3. Bonthuis PJ, Steinwand S, Stacher Hrndli CN, Emery J, Huang WC, Kravitz S, Ferris E, Gregg C (2020). Noncanonical genomic imprinting in the monoamine system determines naturalistic foraging and brain-adrenal axis functions. Cell Rep, 38(10), 110500. (Read full article)
  4. Ferris E, Gregg C (2019). Parallel Accelerated Evolution in Distant Hibernators Reveals Candidate Cis Elements and Genetic Circuits Regulating Mammalian Obesity. Cell Rep, 29(9), 2608-2620.e4. (Read full article)
  5. Stacher Hrndli CN, Wong E, Ferris E, Bennett K, Steinwand S, Rhodes AN, Fletcher PT, Gregg C (2018). Complex Economic Behavior Patterns Are Constructed from Finite, Genetically Controlled Modules of Behavior. Cell Rep, 28(7), 1814-1829.e6. (Read full article)
  6. Ferris E, Abegglen LM, Schiffman JD, Gregg C (2017). Accelerated Evolution in Distinctive Species Reveals Candidate Elements for Clinically Relevant Traits, Including Mutation and Cancer Resistance. Cell Rep, 22(10), 2742-2755. (Read full article)
  7. Jacobi AM, Rettig GR, Turk R, Collingwood MA, Zeiner SA, Quadros RM, Harms DW, Bonthuis PJ, Gregg C, Ohtsuka M, Gurumurthy CB, Behlke MA (2017). Simplified CRISPR tools for efficient genome editing and streamlined protocols for their delivery into mammalian cells and mouse zygotes. Methods, 121-122, 16-28. (Read full article)
  8. Huang WC, Ferris E, Cheng T, Hrndli CS, Gleason K, Tamminga C, Wagner JD, Boucher KM, Christian JL, Gregg C (2017). Diverse Non-genetic, Allele-Specific Expression Effects Shape Genetic Architecture at the Cellular Level in the Mammalian Brain. Neuron, 93(5), 1094-1109.e7. (Read full article)
  9. McKenna S, Meyer M, Gregg C, Gerber S (2016). s-CorrPlot: An Interactive Scatterplot for Exploring Correlation. J Comput Graph Stat, 25(2), 445-463. (Read full article)
  10. Bonthuis P, Huang WC, Statcher Horndli C, Ferris E, Cheng T, Gregg C (2015). Noncanonical genomic imprinting effects in offspring. Cell Rep, 12(6), 979-91.
  11. McKenna S, Meyer M, Gregg C, Gerber S (2015). s-CorrPlot: An Interactive Scatterplot for Exploring Correlation. J Comput Graph Stat, 25(2,2016).
  12. Gregg C (2014). High steaks for cancer and aging. Sci Transl Med, 6(228). (Read full article)
  13. Gregg C (2014). Known unknowns for allele-specific expression and genomic imprinting effects. F1000Prime Rep, 6. (Read full article)
  14. Gregg C (2013). Decoding autism. Sci Transl Med, 5(216). (Read full article)
  15. Gregg C (2013). Parkinson's disease: Targeting er stress in Parkinson's disease. Sci Transl Med, 5(210). (Read full article)
  16. Gregg C (2013). Big genes cause big problems. Sci Transl Med, 5(204). (Read full article)
  17. Gregg C (2013). Turner syndrome reveals that X marks the spot for imprinting. Sci Transl Med, 5(186). (Read full article)
  18. Gregg C (2013). Fixing dendritic spines in fragile X. Sci Transl Med, 5(180). (Read full article)
  19. Gregg C (2010). Parental control over the brain. Science, 330(6005), 770-771. (Read full article)
  20. Gregg C, Zhang J, Butler JE, Haig D, Dulac C (2010). Sex-specific parent-of-origin allelic expression in the mouse brain. Science, 329(5992), 682-5. (Read full article)
  21. Gregg C, Zhang J, Weissbourd B, Luo S, Schroth GP, Haig D, Dulac C (2010). High-resolution analysis of parent-of-origin allelic expression in the mouse brain. Science, 329(5992), 643-8. (Read full article)
  22. Mak GK, Enwere EK, Gregg C, Pakarainen T, Poutanen M, Huhtaniemi I, Weiss S (2007). Male pheromone-stimulated neurogenesis in the adult female brain: possible role in mating behavior. Nat Neurosci, 10(8), 1003-11. (Read full article)
  23. Kolb B, Morshead C, Gonzalez C, Kim M, Gregg C, Shingo T, Weiss S (2007). Growth factor-stimulated generation of new cortical tissue and functional recovery after stroke damage to the motor cortex of rats. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab, 27(5), 983-997. (Read full article)
  24. Gregg C, Shikar V, Larsen P, Mak G, Chojnacki A, Yong VW, Weiss S (2007). White matter plasticity and enhanced remyelination in the maternal CNS. J Neurosci, 27(8), 1812-23. (Read full article)
  25. Ohta S, Gregg C, Weiss S (2006). Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide regulates forebrain neural stem cells and neurogenesis in vitro and in vivo. J Neurosci Res, 84(6), 1177-86. (Read full article)
  26. Kolb B, Morshead C, Gonzalez C, Kim M, Gregg C, Shingo T, Weiss S (2006). Growth factor-stimulated generation of new cortical tissue and functional recovery after stroke damage to the motor cortex of rats. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab, 27(5), 983-97.
  27. Gregg C, Weiss S (2005). CNTF/LIF/gp130 receptor complex signaling maintains a VZ precursor differentiation gradient in the developing ventral forebrain. Development, 132(3), 565-78. (Read full article)
  28. Enwere E, Shingo T, Gregg C, Fujikawa H, Ohta S, Weiss S (2004). Aging results in reduced epidermal growth factor receptor signaling, diminished olfactory neurogenesis, and deficits in fine olfactory discrimination. J Neurosci, 24(38), 8354-65. (Read full article)
  29. Gregg C, Weiss S (2003). Generation of functional radial glial cells by embryonic and adult forebrain neural stem cells. J Neurosci, 23(37), 11587-601. (Read full article)
  30. Chojnacki A, Shimazaki T, Gregg C, Weinmaster G, Weiss S (2003). Glycoprotein 130 signaling regulates Notch1 expression and activation in the self-renewal of mammalian forebrain neural stem cells. J Neurosci, 23(5), 1730-41. (Read full article)
  31. Shingo T, Gregg C, Enwere E, Fujikawa H, Hassam R, Geary C, Cross JC, Weiss S (2003). Pregnancy-stimulated neurogenesis in the adult female forebrain mediated by prolactin. Science, 299(5603), 117-20. (Read full article)

Review

  1. Gregg C (2021). Starvation and Climate Change—How to Constrain Cancer Cell Epigenetic Diversity and Adaptability to Enhance Treatment Efficacy. [Review]. Front Ecol Evol, 9. (Read full article)
  2. Huang WC, Bennett K, Gregg C (2018). Epigenetic and Cellular Diversity in the Brain through Allele-Specific Effects. [Review]. Trends Neurosci, 41(12), 925-937. (Read full article)
  3. Gregg C (2017). The emerging landscape of in vitro and in vivo epigenetic allelic effects. [Review]. F1000Res, 6. (Read full article)
  4. Gregg C (2014). Known unknowns for allele-specific expression and genomic imprinting effects. [Review]. F1000Res, 4(6), 75-77.
  5. Gregg C (2010). Eppendorf winner. Parental Control Over The Brain. [Review]. Science, 330(6005), 770-1.
  6. Gregg C (2009). Pregnancy, prolactin and white matter regeneration. [Review]. J Neurol Sci, 285(1-2), 22-7. (Read full article)
  7. Gregg CT, Chojnacki AK, Weiss S (2002). Radial glial cells as neuronal precursors: the next generation? [Review]. J Neurosci Res, 69(6), 708-13. (Read full article)
  8. Gregg CT, Shingo T, Weiss S (2001). Neural stem cells of the mammalian forebrain. [Review]. Symp Soc Exp Biol, (53), 1-19. (Read full article)

Book Chapter

  1. Bonthuis P and Gregg C (2015). Decoding the Transcriptome of Neuronal Circuits. In Adam Douglass (Ed.), New Techniques in Systems Neuroscience (pp. 29-56). New York: Springer.
  2. Huang, WC and Gregg C (2013). Genomic Imprinting in the Mammalian Brain. In R Kageyama, T. Yamamori (Eds.), Cortical development: neural diversity and neocortical organization. Springer.
  3. Dulac, C and Gregg C (2013). Genomic imprinting in the Adult and Developing Brain. In: Multiple Origins of Sex Differences in Brain. In D.W. Pfaff and Y. Christen (Eds.), Research and Perspectives in Endocrine Interactions. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.
  4. Huang WC, Gregg C (2013). Genomic imprinting in the mammalian brain. In Huang WC|Gregg C (Ed.), Cortical Development: Neural Diversity and Neocortical Organization (pp. 249-262). (Read full article)
  5. Gregg C, Shingo T, and Weiss S (2001). Neural Stem Cells of the Forebrain. In J.A. Miyan et al. (Ed.), Brain Stem Cells: Development and Regeneration. BIOS Scientific Publishers. Oxford.

Editorial

  1. Gregg C (2014). Neurology: Schizophrenia at the synapse. Sci Transl Med, 6(222). (Read full article)
  2. Gregg C (2013). Modifying genetic disease. Sci Transl Med, 5(192). (Read full article)

Abstract

  1. Huang WC, Ferris E, Cheng T, Hrndli CS, Gleason K, Tamminga C, Wagner JD, Boucher KM, Christian JL, Gregg C (2016). Diverse Non-genetic Allele-Specific Expression Effects Shape Genetic Architecture at the Cellular Level in the Mammalian Brain [Abstract]. Human Epigenetics & Disease. Keystone Meeting. Seattle, WA, USA.
  2. Huang WC, Ferris E, Cheng T, Hrndli CS, Gleason K, Tamminga C, Gregg C (2016). Non-genetic Allelic Effects in the Human Brain [Abstract]. Human Epigenetics & Disease. Keystone meeting. Seattle, WA, USA.

Patent

  1. Gregg C (2019). Machine Learning Within Behavioral Sequencing. U.S. Patent No. 62/873,098. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
  2. Gregg C, Ferris E (2016). Methods for Detecting Rapidly Processed Introns to Evaluate Allelic Expression. U.S. Patent No. 62/494,162 (July 29, 2016). Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
  3. Gregg C, Weiss S (2009). Pregnancy-induced oligodendrocyte precursor cell proliferation regulated by prolactin. U.S. Patent No. 7,534,765. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
  4. Weiss S, Gregg C, Davidoff A, Tucker J (2009). Continuous dosing regimes for neural stem cell proliferating agents and neural stem cell differentiating agents. U.S. Patent No. 0081205 A1. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
  5. Weiss S, Gregg C, Davidoff A, Tucker J (2008). Dosing regimes for neural stem cell proliferating agents for the treatment of neurological disorders. U.S. Patent No. 0039389 A1. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
  6. Weiss S, Gregg C (2006). Production of radial glial cells. U.S. Patent No. 7,033,995 B2. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
  7. Weiss S, Enwere E, Andersen L, Gregg C (2005). Pheromones and the lutenizing hormone for inducing proliferation of neural stem cells and neurogenesis. U.S. Patent No. 0245436 A1. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

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