Christopher T. Gregg

Christopher T. Gregg, PhD

Languages spoken: English

Academic Information

Departments Adjunct - Human Genetics , Primary - Neurobiology

Lab

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

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

Selected Publications

Journal Article

  1. Gregg C, Weiss (2005). CNTF/LIF/gp130 receptor complex signaling maintains a VZ precursor differentiation gradient in the developing ventral forebrain. Development (Cambridge, England), 132(3), 565-78.
  2. Kolb B, Morshead C, Gonzalez C, Kim M, Gregg C, Shingo T, Weiss (2006). Growth factor-stimulated generation of new cortical tissue and functional recovery after stroke damage to the motor cortex of rats. Journal of cerebral blood flow and metabolism, 27(5), 983-97.
  3. Chojnacki A, Shimazaki T, Gregg C, Weinmaster G, Weiss (2003). Glycoprotein 130 signaling regulates Notch1 expression and activation in the self-renewal of mammalian forebrain neural stem cells. The Journal of neuroscience, 23(5), 1730-41.
  4. Gregg C, Weiss (2003). Generation of functional radial glial cells by embryonic and adult forebrain neural stem cells. The Journal of neuroscience, 23(37), 11587-601.
  5. Enwere E, Shingo T, Gregg C, Fujikawa H, Ohta S, Weiss (2004). Aging results in reduced epidermal growth factor receptor signaling, diminished olfactory neurogenesis, and deficits in fine olfactory discrimination. The Journal of neuroscience, 24(38), 8354-65.
  6. Gregg C, Shikar V, Larsen P, Mak G, Chojnacki A, Yong VW, Weiss (2007). White matter plasticity and enhanced remyelination in the maternal CNS. The Journal of neuroscience, 27(8), 1812-23.
  7. Ohta S, Gregg C, Weiss (2006). Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide regulates forebrain neural stem cells and neurogenesis in vitro and in vivo. Journal of neuroscience research, 84(6), 1177-86.
  8. Shingo T, Gregg C, Enwere E, Fujikawa H, Hassam R, Geary C, Cross JC, Weiss (2003). Pregnancy-stimulated neurogenesis in the adult female forebrain mediated by prolactin. Science (New York, N.Y.), 299(5603), 117-20.
  9. Gregg C, Zhang J, Weissbourd B, Luo S, Schroth GP, Haig D, Dulac (2010). High-resolution analysis of parent-of-origin allelic expression in the mouse brain. Science (New York, N.Y.), 329(5992), 643-8.
  10. Gregg C, Zhang J, Butler JE, Haig D, Dulac (2010). Sex-specific parent-of-origin allelic expression in the mouse brain. Science (New York, N.Y.), 329(5992), 682-5.
  11. Mak GK, Enwere EK, Gregg C, Pakarainen T, Poutanen M, Huhtaniemi I, Weiss (2007). Male pheromone-stimulated neurogenesis in the adult female brain: possible role in mating behavior. Nature neuroscience, 10(8), 1003-11.
  12. McKenna S, Meyer M, Gregg C, Gerber (2015). s-CorrPlot: An Interactive Scatterplot for Exploring Correlation. Journal of computational and graphical statistics, 25(2,2016),
  13. Bonthuis P, Huang WC, Statcher Horndli C, Ferris E, Cheng T , Gregg (2015). Noncanonical genomic imprinting effects in offspring. Cell reports, 12(6), 979-91.
  14. Bonthuis PJ, Steinwand S, Stacher Hörndli CN, Emery J, Huang WC, Kravitz S, Ferris E, Gregg (2022). Noncanonical genomic imprinting in the monoamine system determines naturalistic foraging and brain-adrenal axis functions. Cell reports, 38(10), 110500.
  15. Ferris E, Gregg (2019). Parallel Accelerated Evolution in Distant Hibernators Reveals Candidate Cis Elements and Genetic Circuits Regulating Mammalian Obesity. Cell reports, 29(9), 2608-2620.e4.
  16. Stacher Hörndli CN, Wong E, Ferris E, Bennett K, Steinwand S, Rhodes AN, Fletcher PT, Gregg (2019). Complex Economic Behavior Patterns Are Constructed from Finite, Genetically Controlled Modules of Behavior. Cell reports, 28(7), 1814-1829.e6.
  17. Jacobi AM, Rettig GR, Turk R, Collingwood MA, Zeiner SA, Quadros RM, Harms DW, Bonthuis PJ, Gregg C, Ohtsuka M, Gurumurthy CB, Behlke M (2017). Simplified CRISPR tools for efficient genome editing and streamlined protocols for their delivery into mammalian cells and mouse zygotes. Methods (San Diego, Calif.), 121-122, 16-28.
  18. Huang WC, Ferris E, Cheng T, Hörndli CS, Gleason K, Tamminga C, Wagner JD, Boucher KM, Christian JL, Gregg (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.
  19. Ferris E, Abegglen LM, Schiffman JD, Gregg (2018). Accelerated Evolution in Distinctive Species Reveals Candidate Elements for Clinically Relevant Traits, Including Mutation and Cancer Resistance. Cell reports, 22(10), 2742-2755.
  20. Ravens A, Stacher-Hörndli CN, Emery J, Steinwand S, Shepherd JD, Gregg (2023). Arc regulates a second-guessing cognitive bias during naturalistic foraging through effects on discrete behavior modules. iScience, 26(5), 106761.
  21. Kravitz SN, Ferris E, Love MI, Thomas A, Quinlan AR, Gregg (2023). Random allelic expression in the adult human body. Cell reports, 42(1), 111945.
  22. McKenna S,Meyer M,Gregg C,Gerber (2016). s-CorrPlot: An Interactive Scatterplot for Exploring Correlation. Journal of computational and graphical statistics, 25(2), 445-463.
  23. Gregg (2014). Known unknowns for allele-specific expression and genomic imprinting effects. F1000prime reports, 6,
  24. Gregg (2013). Decoding autism. Science translational medicine, 5(216),
  25. Gregg (2014). High steaks for cancer and aging. Science translational medicine, 6(228),
  26. Gregg (2013). Parkinson's disease: Targeting er stress in Parkinson's disease. Science translational medicine, 5(210),
  27. Gregg (2013). Big genes cause big problems. Science translational medicine, 5(204),
  28. Gregg (2013). Turner syndrome reveals that X marks the spot for imprinting. Science translational medicine, 5(186),
  29. Gregg (2013). Fixing dendritic spines in fragile X. Science translational medicine, 5(180),
  30. Gregg (2010). Parental control over the brain. Science (New York, N.Y.), 330(6005), 770-771.
  31. Kolb B,Morshead C,Gonzalez C,Kim M,Gregg C,Shingo T,Weiss (2007). Growth factor-stimulated generation of new cortical tissue and functional recovery after stroke damage to the motor cortex of rats. Journal of cerebral blood flow and metabolism, 27(5), 983-997.

Review

  1. Gregg CT, Chojnacki AK, Weiss (2002). Radial glial cells as neuronal precursors: the next generation?. Journal of neuroscience research, 69(6), 708-13.
  2. Gregg C (2010). Eppendorf winner. Parental Control Over The Brain. Science (New York, N.Y.), 330(6005), 770-1.
  3. Gregg CT, Shingo T, Weiss (2001). Neural stem cells of the mammalian forebrain. Symposia of the Society for Experimental Biology, (53), 1-19.
  4. Gregg (2014). Known unknowns for allele-specific expression and genomic imprinting effects. F1000Research, 4(6), 75-77.
  5. Huang WC, Bennett K, Gregg (2018). Epigenetic and Cellular Diversity in the Brain through Allele-Specific Effects. Trends in neurosciences, 41(12), 925-937.
  6. Gregg (2009). Pregnancy, prolactin and white matter regeneration. Journal of the neurological sciences, 285(1-2), 22-7.
  7. Gregg (2021). Starvation and Climate Change'How to Constrain Cancer Cell Epigenetic Diversity and Adaptability to Enhance Treatment Efficacy. Frontiers in ecology and evolution, 9,
  8. Gregg (2017). The emerging landscape of in vitro and in vivo epigenetic allelic effects. F1000Research, 6,

Book Chapter

  1. Gregg C, Shingo T, and Weiss (2001). Neural Stem Cells of the Forebrain.
  2. Bonthuis P. and Gregg C (2015). Decoding the Transcriptome of Neuronal Circuits. 29-56.
  3. Huang, WC and Gregg (2013). Genomic Imprinting in the Mammalian Brain.
  4. Dulac, C and Gregg (2013). Genomic imprinting in the Adult and Developing Brain. In: Multiple Origins of Sex Differences in Brain.
  5. Huang WC,Gregg (2013). Genomic imprinting in the mammalian brain. Cortical Development: Neural Diversity and Neocortical Organization, 249-262.

Editorial

  1. Gregg (2014). Neurology: Schizophrenia at the synapse. Science translational medicine, 6(222),
  2. Gregg (2013). Modifying genetic disease. Science translational medicine, 5(192),

Abstract

  1. Huang WC, Ferris E, Cheng T, Hörndli CS, Gleason K, Tamminga C, Wagner JD, Boucher KM, Christian JL, Gregg (2017). Diverse Non-genetic Allele-Specific Expression Effects Shape Genetic Architecture at the Cellular Level in the Mammalian Brain.
  2. Huang WC, Ferris E, Cheng T, Hörndli CS, Gleason K, Tamminga C, Gregg (2017). Non-genetic Allelic Effects in the Human Brain.

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