Dr Miguel Branco

Miguel Branco

Reader in Genome Regulation

Blizard Institute, FMD
Queen Mary University London

Research

Epigenetics, Transposable elements, Pregnancy, Placenta, Endometrium

Interests

We are interested in solutions for modelling cellular interactions occurring at the human feto-maternal interface (e.g., trophoblast, endometrial epithelium, decidua, endothelial cells). We want to use these models to test the phenotypic effects of disrupting transposable element activity.

Publications

solid heart iconPublications of specific relevance to Predictive in vitro Models

2024

Vasconcelos S, Moustakas I, Branco MR, Guimarães S, Caniçais C, van der Helm T, Ramalho C, Marques CJ, de Sousa Lopes SMC and Dória S (2024). Syncytiotrophoblast Markers Are Downregulated in Placentas from Idiopathic Stillbirths. MDPI  International Journal of Molecular Sciences  vol. 25, (10)  

2023

Cheng KCL, Frost JM, Sánchez-Luque FJ, García-Canãdas M, Taylor D, Yang WR, Irayanar B, Sampath S, Patani H, Agger K, Helin K, Ficz G, Burns KH, Ewing A, García-Pérez JL and Branco MR (2023). Vitamin C activates young LINE-1 elements in mouse embryonic stem cells via H3K9me3 demethylation. Springer Nature  Epigenetics & Chromatin  vol. 16, (1)  
Pezic D, Weeks S, Varsally W, Dewari PS, Pollard S, Branco MR and Hadjur S (2023). The N-terminus of Stag1 is required to repress the 2C program by maintaining rRNA expression and nucleolar integrity. Cell Press  Stem Cell Reports   
Senner CE, Dong Z, Prater M, Branco MR and Watson ED (2023). One-carbon metabolism is required for epigenetic stability in the mouse placenta. Frontiers  Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology  vol. 11,  
Pal D, Patel M, Boulet F, Sundarraj J, Grant OA, Branco MR, Basu S, Santos SDM, Zabet NR, Scaffidi P and Pradeepa MM (2023). H4K16ac activates the transcription of transposable elements and contributes to their cis-regulatory function. Springer Nature  Nature Structural & Molecular Biology  vol. 30, (7) 935-947.  
Frost JM, Amante SM, Okae H, Jones EM, Ashley B, Lewis RM, Cleal JK, Caley MP, Arima T, Maffucci T and Branco MR (2023). Regulation of human trophoblast gene expression by endogenous retroviruses. Springer Nature  Nature Structural & Molecular Biology  vol. 30, (4) 527-538.  
(2023). Endogenous retroviruses control human placental gene expression. Springer Nature  Nature Structural & Molecular Biology  vol. 30, (4) 415-416.  
Branco MR and Soler ADM (2023). Preface. 

2022

Taylor D and Branco MR (2022). Inferring Protein-DNA Binding Profiles at Interspersed Repeats Using HiChIP and PAtChER. Springer Nature  Methods in Molecular Biology  vol. 2607, 199-214.  
Ashley B, Simner C, Manousopoulou A, Jenkinson C, Hey F, Frost JM, Rezwan FI, White CH, Lofthouse EM, Hyde E, Cooke LD, Barton S, Mahon P, Curtis EM, Moon RJ, Crozier SR, Inskip HM, Godfrey KM, Holloway JW, Cooper C, Jones KS, Lewis RM, Hewison M, Garbis SD, Branco MR, Harvey NC and Cleal JK (2022). Placental uptake and metabolism of 25(OH)vitamin D determine its activity within the fetoplacental unit. eLife  eLife  vol. 11,  

2021

Taylor D, Lowe R, Philippe C, Cheng KCL, Grant OA, Zabet NR, Cristofari G and Branco MR (2021). Locus-specific chromatin profiling of evolutionarily young transposable elements. Oxford University Press (OUP)  Nucleic Acids Research  vol. 50, (6) e33-e33.  
Pedraza‐Arevalo S, Ibáñez‐Costa A, Blázquez‐Encinas R, Branco MR, Vázquez‐Borrego MC, Herrera‐Martínez AD, Venegas‐Moreno E, Serrano‐Blanch R, Arjona‐Sánchez Á, Gálvez‐Moreno MA, Korbonits M, Soto‐Moreno A, Gahete MD, Charalambous M, Luque RM and Castaño JP (2021). Epigenetic and post‐transcriptional regulation of somatostatin receptor subtype 5 (SST5) in pituitary and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. Wiley  Molecular Oncology  vol. 16, (3) 764-779.  
Antunes C, Da Silva JD, Guerra-Gomes S, Alves ND, Ferreira F, Loureiro-Campos E, Branco MR, Sousa N, Reik W, Pinto L and Marques CJ (2021). Reduced hippocampal ten-eleven translocation 3 (Tet3) protein expression in Tet3 conditional knockout mice. Springer Nature  Molecular Psychiatry  vol. 26, (5) 1425-1425.  

2020

Shendy NAM, Raghu D, Roy S, Perry CH, Safi A, Branco MR, Homayouni R and Abell AN (2020). Coordinated regulation of Rel expression by MAP3K4, CBP, and HDAC6 controls phenotypic switching. Springer Nature  Communications Biology  vol. 3, (1)  
De Borre M and Branco MR (2020). Oxidative Bisulfite Sequencing: An Experimental and Computational Protocol. Springer Nature  Methods in Molecular Biology  vol. 2198, 333-348.  
Deniz Ö, Ahmed M, Todd CD, Rio-Machin A, Dawson MA and Branco MR (2020). Endogenous retroviruses are a source of enhancers with oncogenic potential in acute myeloid leukaemia. Springer Nature  Nature Communications  vol. 11, (1)  
Senner CE, Chrysanthou S, Burge S, Lin H-Y, Branco MR and Hemberger M (2020). TET1 and 5-Hydroxymethylation Preserve the Stem Cell State of Mouse Trophoblast. Elsevier  Stem Cell Reports  vol. 15, (6) 1301-1316.  
Borkowski‐Tillman T, Garcia‐Rodriguez R, Viñals F, Branco M, Kradjen‐Haratz K, Ben‐Sira L, Lerman‐Sagie T and Malinger G (2020). Agenesis of the septum pellucidum: Prenatal diagnosis and outcome. Wiley  Prenatal Diagnosis  vol. 40, (6) 674-680.  
Antunes C, Da Silva JD, Guerra-Gomes S, Alves ND, Ferreira F, Loureiro-Campos E, Branco MR, Sousa N, Reik W, Pinto L and Marques CJ (2020). Tet3 ablation in adult brain neurons increases anxiety-like behavior and regulates cognitive function in mice. Springer Nature  Molecular Psychiatry  vol. 26, (5) 1445-1457.  
Branco MR and Chuong EB (2020). Crossroads between transposons and gene regulation. The Royal Society  Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences  vol. 375, (1795)  
Santiago M, Antunes C, Guedes M, Iacovino M, Kyba M, Reik W, Sousa N, Pinto L, Branco MR and Marques CJ (2020). Correction to: Tet3 regulates cellular identity and DNA methylation in neural progenitor cells. Springer Nature  Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences  vol. 77, (14) 2885-2885.  
Schlesinger S, Branco MR and Mermoud JE (2020). Chapter 7 Roles and regulation of endogenous retroviruses in pluripotency and early development. Stem Cell Epigenetics  Elsevier   
Santos AC, Branco M and Martins P (2020). Fetal atrial septal aneurysm: a differential diagnosis of aortic arch retrograde flow. BMJ  BMJ Case Reports  vol. 13, (1)  

2019

Santiago M, Antunes C, Guedes M, Iacovino M, Kyba M, Reik W, Sousa N, Pinto L, Branco MR and Marques CJ (2019). Tet3 regulates cellular identity and DNA methylation in neural progenitor cells. Springer Nature  Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences  vol. 77, (14) 2871-2883.  
Carrillo-Jimenez A, Deniz Ö, Niklison-Chirou MV, Ruiz R, Bezerra-Salomão K, Stratoulias V, Amouroux R, Yip PK, Vilalta A, Cheray M, Scott-Egerton AM, Rivas E, Tayara K, García-Domínguez I, Garcia-Revilla J, Fernandez-Martin JC, Espinosa-Oliva AM, Shen X, St George-Hyslop P, Brown GC, Hajkova P, Joseph B, Venero JL, Branco MR and Burguillos MA (2019). TET2 Regulates the Neuroinflammatory Response in Microglia. Elsevier  Cell Reports  vol. 29, (3) 697-713.e8.  
Todd CD, Deniz Ö, Taylor D and Branco MR (2019). Functional evaluation of transposable elements as enhancers in mouse embryonic and trophoblast stem cells. eLife  eLife  vol. 8,  
Deniz Ö, Frost JM and Branco MR (2019). Author Correction: Regulation of transposable elements by DNA modifications. Nat Rev Genet   
Deniz Ö, Frost JM and Branco MR (2019). Regulation of transposable elements by DNA modifications. Nat Rev Genet   
Olova N, Krueger F, Andrews S, Oxley D, Berrens RV, Branco MR and Reik W (2019). Correction to: Comparison of whole-genome bisulfite sequencing library preparation strategies identifies sources of biases affecting DNA methylation data. Springer Nature  Genome Biology  vol. 20, (1)  

2018

Schoenfelder S, Mifsud B, Senner CE, Todd CD, Chrysanthou S, Darbo E, Hemberger M and Branco MR (2018). Divergent wiring of repressive and active chromatin interactions between mouse embryonic and trophoblast lineages. Springer Nature  Nature Communications  vol. 9, (1)  
Borkowski T, Rodriguez RG, Viñals F, Branco M, Haratz KK, Ben‐Sira L and Malinger G (2018). P11.03: Agenesis of the septum pellucidum: prenatal diagnosis and outcome. Wiley  Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology  vol. 52, (S1) 164-165.  
Pedraza-Arevalo S, Ibanez-Costa A, Vazquez-Borrego MC, Branco M, Galvez-Moreno MA, Soto-Moreo A, Korbonits M, Gahete MD, Charalambous M, Luque RM and Castano JP (2018). Epigenetic and post-transcriptional regulation of the SSTR5 gene in somatotropinomas. Bioscientifica  Endocrine Abstracts   
Olova N, Krueger F, Andrews S, Oxley D, Berrens RV, Branco MR and Reik W (2018). Comparison of whole-genome bisulfite sequencing library preparation strategies identifies sources of biases affecting DNA methylation data. Springer Nature  Genome Biology  vol. 19, (1)  
Deniz Ö, de la Rica L, Cheng KCL, Spensberger D and Branco MR (2018). SETDB1 prevents TET2-dependent activation of IAP retroelements in naïve embryonic stem cells. Springer Nature  Genome Biology  vol. 19, (1)  

2017

Garcia-Gomez A, Li T, Kerick M, Català-Moll F, Comet NR, Rodríguez-Ubreva J, de la Rica L, Branco MR, Martín J and Ballestar E (2017). TET2- and TDG-mediated changes are required for the acquisition of distinct histone modifications in divergent terminal differentiation of myeloid cells. Oxford University Press (OUP)  Nucleic Acids Research  vol. 45, (17) 10002-10017.  
Neves AR, Nunes F, Branco M, do Céu Almeida M and Silva IS (2017). The role of ultrasound in the prediction of birth weight discordance in twin pregnancies: are we there yet? De Gruyter  Journal of Perinatal Medicine  vol. 46, (2) 163-168.  
Barbieri M, Xie SQ, Torlai Triglia E, Chiariello AM, Bianco S, de Santiago I, Branco MR, Rueda D, Nicodemi M and Pombo A (2017). Active and poised promoter states drive folding of the extended HoxB locus in mouse embryonic stem cells. Springer Nature  Nature Structural & Molecular Biology  vol. 24, (6) 515-524.  
Beagrie RA, Scialdone A, Schueler M, Kraemer DCA, Chotalia M, Xie SQ, Barbieri M, de Santiago I, Lavitas L-M, Branco MR, Fraser J, Dostie J, Game L, Dillon N, Edwards PAW, Nicodemi M and Pombo A (2017). Complex multi-enhancer contacts captured by genome architecture mapping. Springer Nature  Nature  vol. 543, (7646) 519-524.  

2016

de la Rica L, Deniz Ö, Cheng KC, Todd CD, Cruz C, Houseley J and Branco MR (2016). TET-dependent regulation of retrotransposable elements in mouse embryonic stem cells. BioMed Central  Genome Biol  vol. 17, (1) 234-234.  
Neves AR, Nunes F, Branco M, do Céu Almeida M and Silva IS (2016). The influence of fetal growth restriction on ultrasound prediction of birth weight discordance in twin pregnancies. Elsevier  European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology  vol. 206,  
Oliveira GN, Branco M, Ramos L and Pereira DF (2016). Congenital dacryocystocoele with prenatal diagnosis. BMJ  BMJ Case Reports  vol. 2016,  
Branco MR, King M, Perez-Garcia V, Bogutz AB, Caley M, Fineberg E, Lefebvre L, Cook SJ, Dean W, Hemberger M and Reik W (2016). Maternal DNA Methylation Regulates Early Trophoblast Development. Elsevier  Developmental Cell  vol. 36, (2) 152-163.  
de la Rica L, Stanley JS and Branco MR (2016). Profiling DNA Methylation and Hydroxymethylation at Retrotransposable Elements. Springer Nature  Methods in Molecular Biology  vol. 1400, 387-401.  

2015

Maçães A, Fernandes S, Rodrigues C and Branco M (2015). Interstitial ectopic pregnancy managed with local methotrexate. BMJ  BMJ Case Reports  vol. 2015,  

2013

Booth MJ, Ost TWB, Beraldi D, Bell NM, Branco MR, Reik W and Balasubramanian S (2013). Oxidative bisulfite sequencing of 5-methylcytosine and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine. Nat Protoc  vol. 8, (10) 1841-1851.  
Ficz G, Hore TA, Santos F, Lee HJ, Dean W, Arand J, Krueger F, Oxley D, Paul Y-L, Walter J, Cook SJ, Andrews S, Branco MR and Reik W (2013). FGF signaling inhibition in ESCs drives rapid genome-wide demethylation to the epigenetic ground state of pluripotency. Cell Stem Cell  vol. 13, (3) 351-359.  
Ficz G, Hore TA, Santos F, Lee HJ, Dean W, Arand J, Krueger F, Oxley D, Paul Y-L, Walter J, Cook SJ, Andrews S, Branco MR and Reik W (2013). FGF signalling inhibition in ESCs drives rapid genome-wide demethylation to the epigenetic ground state of pluripotency. Springer Nature  Clinical Epigenetics  vol. 5, (Suppl 1)  
Branco MR (2013). Bridging genomics technology and biology. Genome Biol  vol. 14, (10)  
Ficz G, Hore TA, Santos F, Lee HJ, Dean W, Arand J, Krueger F, Oxley D, Paul Y-L, Walter J, Cook SJ, Andrews S, Branco MR and Reik W (2013). FGF signalling inhibition in ESCs drives rapid genome-wide demethylation to the epigenetic ground state of pluripotency. Clinical epigenetics  vol. 5, (Suppl 1) S2-S2.  

2012

Hackett JA, Reddington JP, Nestor CE, Dunican DS, Branco MR, Reichmann J, Reik W, Surani MA, Adams IR and Meehan RR (2012). Promoter DNA methylation couples genome-defence mechanisms to epigenetic reprogramming in the mouse germline. Development  vol. 139, (19) 3623-3632.  
Rego JL, Branco M, Ramos L and Galhano E (2012). P33.14: Cytomegalovirus infection in pregnancy. Wiley  Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology  vol. 40, (S1) 309-309.  
Raiber E-A, Beraldi D, Ficz G, Burgess HE, Branco MR, Murat P, Oxley D, Booth MJ, Reik W and Balasubramanian S (2012). Genome-wide distribution of 5-formylcytosine in embryonic stem cells is associated with transcription and depends on thymine DNA glycosylase. Genome Biol  vol. 13, (8)  
Arand J, Spieler D, Karius T, Branco MR, Meilinger D, Meissner A, Jenuwein T, Xu G, Leonhardt H, Wolf V and Walter J (2012). In vivo control of CpG and non-CpG DNA methylation by DNA methyltransferases. PLoS Genet  vol. 8, (6)  
Booth MJ, Branco MR, Ficz G, Oxley D, Krueger F, Reik W and Balasubramanian S (2012). Quantitative sequencing of 5-methylcytosine and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine at single-base resolution. Science  vol. 336, (6083) 934-937.  
Krueger C, King MR, Krueger F, Branco MR, Osborne CS, Niakan KK, Higgins MJ and Reik W (2012). Pairing of homologous regions in the mouse genome is associated with transcription but not imprinting status. PLoS One  vol. 7, (7)  

2011

Branco MR, Ficz G and Reik W (2011). Uncovering the role of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine in the epigenome. Nat Rev Genet  vol. 13, (1) 7-13.  
Ficz G, Branco MR, Seisenberger S, Santos F, Krueger F, Hore TA, Marques CJ, Andrews S and Reik W (2011). Dynamic regulation of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine in mouse ES cells and during differentiation. Nature  vol. 473, (7347) 398-402.  

2010

Ramos F, Maia S, Branco M, Raposo J, Sá J, Sousa S, Venâncio M, Pina R, Galhano E, Ramos L and Saraiva J (2010). Accuracy of Prenatal Diagnosis in Elective Termination of Pregnancy: 385 Cases from 2000 to 2007. Hindawi  International Scholarly Research Notices  vol. 2011, (1)  
Ferrai C, Xie SQ, Luraghi P, Munari D, Ramirez F, Branco MR, Pombo A and Crippa MP (2010). Poised transcription factories prime silent uPA gene prior to activation. PLoS Biol  vol. 8, (1)  

2009

Redrup L, Branco MR, Perdeaux ER, Krueger C, Lewis A, Santos F, Nagano T, Cobb BS, Fraser P and Reik W (2009). The long noncoding RNA Kcnq1ot1 organises a lineage-specific nuclear domain for epigenetic gene silencing. DEVELOPMENT  vol. 136, (4) 525-530.  

2008

Branco MR, Oda M and Reik W (2008). Safeguarding parental identity: Dnmt1 maintains imprints during epigenetic reprogramming in early embryogenesis. Genes Dev  vol. 22, (12) 1567-1571.  
Noordermeer D, Branco MR, Splinter E, Klous P, van IJcken W, Swagemakers S, Koutsourakis M, van der Spek P, Pombo A and de Laat W (2008). Correction: Transcription and Chromatin Organization of a Housekeeping Gene Cluster Containing an Integrated β-Globin Locus Control Region. Public Library of Science (PLoS)  PLOS Genetics  vol. 4, (3)  
Noordermeer D, Branco MR, Splinter E, Klous P, van Ijcken W, Swagemakers S, Koutsourakis M, van der Spek P, Pombo A and de Laat W (2008). Transcription and chromatin organization of a housekeeping gene cluster containing an integrated beta-globin locus control region. PLoS Genet  vol. 4, (3)  
Branco MR, Branco T, Ramirez F and Pombo A (2008). Changes in chromosome organization during PHA-activation of resting human lymphocytes measured by cryo-FISH. Chromosome Res  vol. 16, (3) 413-426.  

2007

Pombo A and Branco MR (2007). Functional organisation of the genome during interphase. Curr Opin Genet Dev  vol. 17, (5) 451-455.  
Branco MR and Pombo A (2007). Chromosome organization: new facts, new models. Trends Cell Biol  vol. 17, (3) 127-134.  

2006

Branco MR and Pombo A (2006). Intermingling of chromosome territories in interphase suggests role in translocations and transcription-dependent associations. PLoS Biol  vol. 4, (5)  
BRANCO M, Xie SQ, Martin S and Pombo A (2006). Correlative microscopy using Tokuyasu cryosections: applications for immunolabeling and in situ hybridization. Cell Imaging , Editors: Stephens D. Scion Publishing Ltd   

2005

Rodrigues CT, Branco MR, Ferreira ID, Nordeste A, Fonseca M, Taborda A, Silva IS and Almeida MDC (2005). [Multiple gestation epidemiology--15 years survey]. Acta Med Port  vol. 18, (2) 107-111.  
Ferreira I, Laureano C, Branco M, Nordeste A, Fonseca M, Pinheiro A, Silva MI and Almeida MC (2005). Chorionicity and adverse perinatal outcome. Acta Médica Portuguesa  vol. 18, (3) 183-188.  

2004

Branco MR, Marinho HS, Cyrne L and Antunes F (2004). Decrease of H2O2 plasma membrane permeability during adaptation to H2O2 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. J Biol Chem  vol. 279, (8) 6501-6506.  

Grants

solid heart iconGrants of specific relevance to Predictive in vitro Models
bullet iconEpigenomic Cell-Free Biomarker Analysis for Liquid Biopsies
Miguel Branco, Stamatina Iliodromiti, Christopher Bell and Gabriella Ficz
£3,189,696 Barts and the London Charity (01-02-2024 - 31-01-2029)
bullet iconLIDO iCase: Impact of pregnancy-specific glycoproteins on development and ageing (PI: Miguel Branco)
Miguel Branco
£80,000 Altos Labs (01-09-2023 - 31-08-2027)
bullet iconModelling the impact of maternal infection and inflammation on placental trophoblast function
Claire Bourke, Stamatina Iliodromiti and Miguel Branco
£75,000 Barts and the London Charity (01-09-2023 - 28-02-2025)
bullet iconEpigenetic regulation of cell-autonomous type I interferon responses in trophoblast
Miguel Branco
£487,986 MRC Medical Research Council (01-03-2023 - 28-02-2026)


bullet iconCan transposable element expression drive placental inflammation?
Miguel Branco
£50,000 Borne Foundation (01-09-2022 - 31-08-2024)
bullet iconInvestigating genetic links between transposable elements and pregnancy complications
Miguel Branco
£50,000 Barts and the London Charity (01-05-2021 - 31-12-2022)
bullet iconThe role of endogenous retroviruses in the development of the primate placenta
Jennifer Frost and Miguel Branco
£7,310 The Leakey Foundation (15-12-2020 - 11-01-2023)
bullet iconAssessing the impact of endogenous retroviruses on trophoblast gene regulation
Miguel Branco
£483,247 BBSRC Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (11-11-2019 - 31-03-2023)
bullet iconINVestigating the Activity of transposon-DErived Regulatory Sequences in the human placenta
Miguel Branco
£179,947 EU Commission - Horizon 2020 (01-05-2019 - 30-04-2021)
bullet iconNPM1 OUT Transposons IN: Transposons as A Potential Source of Oncogenic Regulatory Elements in NPM1c
Ozgen Deniz and Miguel Branco
£24,150 Barts and the London Charity (01-02-2019 - 01-11-2020)
bullet iconNovel approaches for epigenomic profiling of repetitive elements
Miguel Branco
£106,212 BBSRC Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (01-10-2017 - 31-10-2021)
bullet iconEpigenetic influence of retrotransposons on the Genome - PhD Todd
Miguel Branco
£18,560 MCSBHT Medical College of St Bartholomew's Hospital Trust (01-09-2017 - 30-09-2018)
bullet iconNovel approaches for Epigenomic Profiling of Repetitive Elements
Miguel Branco
£84,245 BBSRC Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (01-08-2017 - 31-07-2018)
bullet iconEpigenetic control of retrotransposable elements
Miguel Branco
£1,023,870 Wellcome Trust (01-10-2013 - 30-09-2019)