Dr. Furey’s lab is interested in understanding gene regulatory processes, especially epigenetically controlled processes, and how alterations in the epigenetic landscape in conjunction with genetic and environmental variation contribute to complex phenotypes such as disease. He has explored these computationally by concentrating on the analysis of genome-wide open chromatin, histone modification, and miRNA and gene transcription data generated from high-throughput sequencing experiments. In the process, he has developed several novel statistical methods and computational tools to aid in this investigation of underlying genetic and biological mechanisms of complex phenotypes. Current work in collaboration with CGIBD-member Shehzad Sheikh, is focused on understanding genetic and epigenetic contributors to inflammatory bowel diseases. Exciting research in human intestinal tissues has found two distinct molecular signatures of Crohn’s disease that are associated with distinct clinical phenotypes.