School of Natural Sciences staff

Dr Tracy Hale staff profile picture

Contact details +6469517741

Dr Tracy Hale

Senior Lecturer in Molecular Cell Biology

Doctoral Supervisor
School of Food Technology and Natural Sciences

I'm a cellular and molecular biologist whose research interests are focussed on chromatin biology and its dysfunction during tumorigenesis.  Present research within my laboratory investigates the functional organisation of the genome within the nucleus, specifically the role of Heterochromatin Protein 1α, guanine quadruplex (G4) assemblies and histone H1 in mediating the partitioning of chromatin into domains of highly compacted heterochromatin .   Also under investigation in the laboratory, is how the alter organisation of heterochromatin organisation, observed during tumorigensis, alters nuclear integrity thus contributing to the malignant phenotype.

Professional

Contact details

  • Ph: DDI +64 6 9517741
    Location: Office - ScC2.06, Science Tower C/D stairwell
    Campus: Turitea
  • Location: Laboratory - ScD3.14, Science Tower D
    Campus: Turitea

Certifications and Registrations

  • Licence, Supervisor, Massey University

Research Expertise

Research Interests

Chromatin Biology

Cancer Biology

Thematics

Health and Well-being

Area of Expertise

Field of research codes
Biochemistry and Cell Biology (060100): Biological Sciences (060000):
Cancer Cell Biology (111201):
Cell and Nuclear Division (060402): Epigenetics (incl. Genome Methylation and Epigenomics) (060404): Genetics (060400):
Medical And Health Sciences (110000): Oncology and Carcinogenesis (111200)

Research Projects

Summary of Research Projects

Position Current Completed
Project Leader 5 21
Team Member 1 0

Current Projects

Project Title: PIN1ng down heterochromatin to prevent cellular ageing

Date Range: 2022 - 2024

Funding Body: Health Research Council of New Zealand

Project Team:

Completed Projects

Project Title: Targeting HP1 regulated pathways to suppress breast cell invasion

Date Range: 2016 - 2018

Funding Body: Health Research Council of New Zealand

Project Team:

Research Outputs

Journal

Pradhan, S., Williams, MAK., & Hale, TK. (2022). Changes in the properties of membrane tethers in response to HP1α depletion in MCF7 cells. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 587, 126-130
[Journal article]Authored by: Hale, T.
Pradhan, S., Solomon, R., Gangotra, A., Yakubov, GE., Willmott, GR., Whitby, CP., . . . Williams, MAK. (2021). Depletion of HP1α alters the mechanical properties of MCF7 nuclei. Biophysical Journal. 120(13), 2631-2643
[Journal article]Authored by: Hale, T., Whitby, C.
Su, Y., Bayarjargal, M., Hale, TK., & Filichev, VV. (2021). DNA with zwitterionic and negatively charged phosphate modifications: Formation of DNA triplexes, duplexes and cell uptake studies. Beilstein Journal of Organic Chemistry. 17, 749-761
[Journal article]Authored by: Filichev, V., Hale, T.
Lukito, Y., Lee, K., Noorifar, N., Green, KA., Winter, DJ., Ram, A., . . . Scott, B. (2021). Regulation of host-infection ability in the grass-symbiotic fungus Epichloë festucae by histone H3K9 and H3K36 methyltransferases. Environmental Microbiology. 23(4), 2116-2131 Retrieved from https://ami-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1462-2920.15370
[Journal article]Authored by: Hale, T.
Lukito, Y., Lee, K., Noorifar, N., Green, KA., Winter, DJ., Ram, A., . . . Scott, B. (2021). Regulation of host-infection ability in the grass-symbiotic fungus Epichloë festucae by histone H3K9 and H3K36 methyltransferases. Environmental Microbiology. 23(4), 2116-2131
[Journal article]Authored by: Hale, T.
Roach, RJ., Garavís, M., González, C., Jameson, GB., Filichev, VV., & Hale, TK. (2020). Heterochromatin protein 1α interacts with parallel RNA and DNA G-quadruplexes. Nucleic Acids Research. 48(2), 682-693
[Journal article]Authored by: Filichev, V., Hale, T., Jameson, G.
Lukito, Y., Chujo, T., Hale, TK., Mace, W., Johnson, LJ., & Scott, B. (2019). Regulation of subtelomeric fungal secondary metabolite genes by H3K4me3 regulators CclA and KdmB. Molecular Microbiology. 112(3), 837-853
[Journal article]Authored by: Hale, T.
Doluca, O., Hale, TK., Edwards, PJB., González, C., & Filichev, VV. (2014). Assembly Dependent Fluorescence Enhancing Nucleic Acids in Sequence-Specific Detection of Double-Stranded DNA.. Chempluschem. 79(1), 2
[Journal article]Authored by: Edwards, P., Filichev, V., Hale, T.
Lasham, A., Moloney, S., Hale, T., Homer, C., Zhang, YF., Murison, JG., . . . Watson, J. (2003). The Y-box-binding protein, YB1, is a potential negative regulator of the p53 tumor suppressor. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 278(37), 35516-35523
[Journal article]Authored by: Hale, T.
Hale, TK., Myers, C., Maitra, R., Kolzau, T., Nishizawa, M., & Braithwaite, AW. (2000). Maf transcriptionally activates the mouse p53 promoter and causes a p53- dependent cell death. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 275(24), 17991-17999
[Journal article]Authored by: Hale, T.
Hale, TK., & Braithwaite, AW. (1999). The adenovirus oncoprotein E1a stimulates binding of transcription factor ETF to transcriptionally activate the p53 gene. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 274(34), 23777-23786
[Journal article]Authored by: Hale, T.
Hale, TK., & Braithwaite, AW. (1995). Identification of an upstream region of the mouse p53 promoter critical for transcriptional expression. Nucleic Acids Research. 23(4), 663-669
[Journal article]Authored by: Hale, T.
Ridgway, PJ., Hale, TK., & Braithwaite, AW. (1993). p53 confers a selective advantage on transfected HeLa cells. Oncogene. 8(4), 1069-1074
[Journal article]Authored by: Hale, T.
Hale, TK., Norris, GE., Jameson, GB., & Filichev, VV. (2014). Helicases, G4-DNAs, and drug design. ChemMedChem. 9(9), 2031-2034
[Journal article]Authored by: Filichev, V., Hale, T., Jameson, G.
Tretiakova, MS., Bond, SD., Wheeler, D., Contreras, A., Kocherginsky, M., Kroll, TG., . . . Hale, TK. (2014). Heterochromatin protein 1 expression is reduced in human thyroid malignancy. Laboratory Investigation. 94(7), 788-795
[Journal article]Authored by: Hale, T.
Park, JH., Hale, TK., Smith, RJ., & Yang, T. (2014). PPM1B depletion induces premature senescence in human IMR-90 fibroblasts. Mechanisms of Ageing and Development. 138(1), 45-52
[Journal article]Authored by: Hale, T.
Doluca, O., Hale, TK., Edwards, PJB., Gonzalez, C., & Filichev, VV. (2014). Assembly dependent fluorescence enhancing nucleic acids in sequence-specific detection of double-stranded DNA. ChemPlusChem. 79(1), 58-66
[Journal article]Authored by: Edwards, P., Filichev, V., Hale, T.
Clausell, J., Happel, N., Hale, TK., Doenecke, D., & Beato, M. (2009). Histone H1 subtypes differentially modulate chromatin condensation without preventing ATP-dependent remodeling by SWI/SNF or NURF. PLoS ONE. 4(10)
[Journal article]Authored by: Hale, T.
Mandhan, P., Beasley, S., Hale, TK., Ellmers, L., Roake, J., & Sullivan, M. (2006). Sonic hedgehog expression in the development of hindgut in ETU-exposed fetal rats. Pediatric Surgery International. 22, 31-36
[Journal article]Authored by: Hale, T.
Hale, TK., Contreras, A., Morrison, AJ., & Herrera, RE. (2006). Phosphorylation of the Linker Histone H1 by CDK Regulates Its Binding to HP1α. Molecular Cell. 22(5), 693-699
[Journal article]Authored by: Hale, T.
Contreras, A., Hale, TK., Stenoien, DL., Rosen, JM., Mancini, MA., & Herrera, RE. (2003). The Dynamic Mobility of Histone H1 Is Regulated by Cyclin/CDK Phosphorylation. Molecular and Cellular Biology. 23(23), 8626-8636
[Journal article]Authored by: Hale, T.
Hale, TK., & Mansfield, BC. (1989). Nucleotide sequence of a cDNA clone representing a third allele of human protein B23. Nucleic Acids Research. 17(23), 10112
[Journal article]Authored by: Hale, T.

Conference

Lukito, Y., Noorifar, N., Green, K., Hale, T., Chujo, T., Johnson, L., . . . Scott, B. (2019). The H3K9 and H3K36 methyltransferases ClrD and SetB regulate Epichloë festucae infection of perennial ryegrass. Poster session presented at the meeting of 30th Fungal Genetics Conference. Pacific Grove, CA
[Conference Poster]Authored by: Hale, T.
Lukito, Y., Chujo, T., Hale, T., Johnson, L., & Scott, B. (2018, June). H3K4 trimethylation mediated by CclA is a repressive mark for subtelomeric fungal secondary metabolite clusters that is removed by KdmB for derepression in planta. Presented at ISFEG10. The 10th International Symposium on Fungal Endophytes of Grasses. Salamanca, Spain.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Hale, T.
Hale, TK., & Solomon, R.Loss of HP1 alpha alters the integrity of the nuclear lamina, thereby promoting invasion. CANCER RESEARCH. 78 (13)0008-5472.
[Conference]Authored by: Hale, T.
Mandhan, P., Beasley, S., Hale, T., Ellmers, L., Roake, J., & Sullivan, M.Sonic hedgehog expression in the development of hindgut in ETU-exposed fetal rats. Pediatric Surgery International. 22 (1)(pp. 31 - 36). 0179-0358.
[Conference]Authored by: Hale, T.
Hale, TK. (2017, November). Untethering the genome - Loss of HP1a enhances malignant cell invasion. Presented at New Zealand Breast Cancer Symposium
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Hale, T.
Hale, TK., Bond, S., & Wheeler, D. (2017). Untethering heterochromatin: How loss of HP1a enhances cell invasion by altering nuclear envelope integrity [abstract]. In Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Research Vol. 77 , American Association of Cancer Research Annual Meeting: American Association for Cancer Research
[Conference Abstract]Authored by: Bond, S., Hale, T.
Lukito, Y., Chujo, T., Hale, TK., Johnson, LJ., & Scott, B. (2017). Regulation of Epichloë festucae secondary metabolite genes by CclA, KdmB and H3K4 trimethylation. Poster session presented at the meeting of QMB Plant-Microbe Interactions Satellite at Queenstown Research Week
[Conference Poster]Authored by: Hale, T.
Lukito, Y., Chujo, T., Hale, TK., Johnson, LJ., & Scott, B.Regulation of Epichloë festucae secondary metabolite genes by CclA, KdmB and H3K4 trimethylation. . Queenstown
[Conference Paper]Authored by: Hale, T.
Lukito, Y., Chujo, T., Hale, TK., Johnson, LJ., & Scott, B. (2017). Regulation of Epichloë festucae secondary metabolite genes by CclA, KdmB and H3K4 trimethylation. Poster session presented at the meeting of QMB Plant-Microbe Interactions Satellite at Queenstown Research Week. Queenstown
[Conference Poster]Authored by: Hale, T.
Cui, X., Stimpson, L., Hale, T., & Contreras, A. (2016). Abstract 4538: Heterochromatin protein 1 alpha modulates the invasive potential of malignant cells. Cancer Research. Vol. 76: American Association of Cancer Research 107th Annual Meeting 2016;
[Conference Paper in Published Proceedings]Authored by: Hale, T.
Lukito, Y., Chujo, T., Hale, T., Johnson, L., & Scott, B. (2016). Histone H3K4 methylation regulates biosynthesis of fungal anti-mammalian alkaloids in an endophyte-plant symbiosis. , Third Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Meeting on Epigenetics & Chromatin
[Conference Abstract]Authored by: Hale, T.
Cheng, L., Hale, TK., & Tretiakova, MS.Expression of Heterochromatin Protein 1 in Renal Cortical Tumors and Identification of Its Target Genes. LABORATORY INVESTIGATION. (pp. 221A - 221A). 0023-6837.
[Conference]Authored by: Hale, T.
Cheng, L., Hale, TK., & Tretiakova, MS.(2016, February). Expression of Heterochromatin Protein 1 in renal cortical-tumors and identification of its target genes. MODERN PATHOLOGY. (pp. 221A - 221A). 0893-3952.
[Conference]Authored by: Hale, T.
Bond, S., & Hale, TK. (2014). Phosphorylation of Histone H1.4 by Aurora B is required for the proper execution of Mitosis. Poster session presented at the meeting of Gordon Conference on Chromatin Structure and Function, Boston, USA. Boston, United States of America
[Conference Poster]Authored by: Hale, T.Contributed to by: Hale, T.
Hale, TK. (2013, September). Heterochromatin Protein 1 in Cancer. Presented at Queenstown Molecular Biology Meeting Epigenetics Satellite Meeting
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Hale, T.
Hale, TK. (2011, September). The role of histone H1 and HP1 in tumorigensis. Presented at QMB Epigenetics Satellite Meeting. Queenstown, New Zealand.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Hale, T.
Hale, TK., & Bond, S. (2010). Aurora B Phosphorylates Histone H1 During Mitosis. Poster session presented at the meeting of Queenstown Molecular Biology Meeting. Queenstown, New Zealand
[Conference Poster]Authored by: Hale, T.
Contreras, A., Gutierrez, MC., & Hale, TK.(2010, March). Differential Expression Patterns of the Heterochromatin Proteins HP1 alpha and HP1 beta in Different Tumor Types. LABORATORY INVESTIGATION. (pp. 385A - 385A). 0023-6837.
[Conference]Authored by: Hale, T.
Contreras, A., Gutierrez, MC., & Hale, TK.(2010, March). Differential Expression Patterns of the Heterochromatin Proteins HP1 alpha and HP1 beta in Different Tumor Types. MODERN PATHOLOGY. (pp. 385A - 385A). 0893-3952.
[Conference]Authored by: Hale, T.
Contreras, A., Gutierrez, M., & Hale, T. (2010). Differential expression patterns of the heterochromatin proteins HP1 and HP1β in different tumor types. In United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology(pp. 385a - 385a). : Nature Publishing Group
[Conference Abstract]Authored by: Hale, T.
Hale, TK., & Contreras, A. (2009). Is HP1 a Marker of Tumour Progression?. Poster session presented at the meeting of Abcam Chromatin Structure and Function Conference. Costa Rica
[Conference Poster]Authored by: Hale, T.
Hale, TK., Purcell, R., Contreras, A., & Harte, J. (2008). Genetic and epigenetic mechanisms in the pathogenesis of hepatoblastoma. Poster session presented at the meeting of Queenstown Molecular Biology Conference Epigenetics Meeting
[Conference Poster]Authored by: Hale, T.
Hale, TK. (2008, August). The role of the linker histone H1 and HP1 in heterochromatin and tumourigenesis. Presented at QMB Epigenetics Satellite Meeting. Queenstown, New Zealand.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Hale, T.
Hale, TK., Purcell, R., Sullivan, M., & Contreras, A. (2008). The role of the linker histone H1 and HP1 in heterochromatin formation and cancer. Poster session presented at the meeting of New Zealand Society of Oncology Meeting. Christchurch, NZ
[Conference Poster]Authored by: Hale, T.
Hale, TK. (2008). The linker histone H1 and HP1 in hetercochromatin formation and cancer. Poster session presented at the meeting of NCI Genome-wide Chromatin Structure and Function Symposium. Washington DC, USA
[Conference Poster]Authored by: Hale, T.
Hale, TK. (2007, August). Histone H1 Phosphorylation in Chromatin Compaction and Tumour Progression. Presented at Queenstown Molecular Biology Conference. Queenstown, New Zealand.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Hale, T.
Hale, TK., Sullivan, M., & Herrera, R. (2007). The role of the linker histone H1 in epigenetic regulation and cancer. Poster session presented at the meeting of American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting. Los Angeles, USA (14-18 Apr 2007)
[Conference Poster]Authored by: Hale, T.
Hale, TK., Purcell, R., & Contreras, A. (2007). Investigating the role of the linker histone H1 in cancer. Poster session presented at the meeting of Abcam Chromatin Structure and Function Meeting. Antigua
[Conference Poster]Authored by: Hale, T.
Hale, TK. (2006, August). The Linker Histone H1 and its Interaction with HP1. A Histone Code for H1. Presented at Queenstown Molecular Biology Meeting. Queenstown, New Zealand.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Hale, T.
Hale, TK. (2006, September). The Beginnings of a ‘Histone Code’ for the Linker Histone H1?. Presented at Gene Expression & Chromatin Symposium. Massey University, Albany.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Hale, T.

IP

Doluca, O., Hale, TK., & Filichev, VV.(2013). . 609844: Assembly-dependent Fluorescence Enhancing Nucleic Acids (AFENA) in Sequence-specific Detection of Nucleic Acids in Fluorescence Assay.
[Patent]Authored by: Filichev, V., Hale, T.

Other

Hale, TK. (2007, July). The Fifth Histone - Linker Histone H1 and its Phosphorylation. In Institute for Molecular Biosciences, Massey University (Palmerston North).
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Hale, T.

Teaching and Supervision

Summary of Doctoral Supervision

Position Current Completed
Main Supervisor 2 2
Co-supervisor 3 6

Current Doctoral Supervision

Main Supervisor of:

  • Raka Mitra - Doctor of Philosophy
    Exploring the molecular phenotype of Infantile Haemangioma utilising 3D organoid model: Implications for therapeutics
  • Aseel Mohammad - Doctor of Philosophy
    Investigating the Role of G-Quadruplexes in Oncogene Silencing

Co-supervisor of:

  • Ghadir Dahalan - Doctor of Philosophy
    Multicomponent Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) Using Amino Acid and Peptide Ligands
  • Sarah Wilson - Doctor of Philosophy
    Characterising CG5846 (Peep) in Drosophila melanogaster neural function
  • Aditi Ghuge - Doctor of Philosophy
    Testing novel peptides that target virtually all types of cancer.

Completed Doctoral Supervision

Main Supervisor of:

  • 2023 - Ruby Roach - Doctor of Philosophy
    Untangling the interaction between HP1α and the TERRA G-quadruplex
  • 2017 - Sarah Bond - Doctor of Philosophy
    Histone H1 phosphorylation during mitosis

Co-supervisor of:

  • 2023 - Bruce Chilton - Doctor of Philosophy
    Studies Towards Thermodynamically Stable G-Quadruplexes Embedded in Canonical DNA Duplexes
  • 2022 - Wei Jun Tan - Doctor of Philosophy
    Investigating the role of HDAC4 in Drosophila neuronal function
  • 2021 - Yongdong Su - Doctor of Philosophy
    Targeting DNA Secondary Structures Using Chemically Modified Oligonucleotides
  • 2019 - Patrick Main - Doctor of Philosophy
    Investigating the role of HDAC4 subcellular distribution in Drosophila development and memory
  • 2018 - Yonathan Lukito - Doctor of Philosophy
    Epigenetic regulation of Epichloë festucae secondary metabolite biosynthesis and symbiotic interaction with Lolium perenne
  • 2017 - Silvia Schwartz - Doctor of Philosophy
    Investigating the role of Histone Deacetylase HDAC4 in long-term memory formation