Discovering the molecular controls of epigenetic inheritance . This project aims to investigate the way in which acquired traits can be inherited. The environment that an individual is exposed to can change the characteristics of not only that individual, but also their children and grandchildren. We do not yet understand the mechanisms by which this “epigenetic inheritance” occurs. Using interdisciplinary approaches, this project combines the power of the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans ....Discovering the molecular controls of epigenetic inheritance . This project aims to investigate the way in which acquired traits can be inherited. The environment that an individual is exposed to can change the characteristics of not only that individual, but also their children and grandchildren. We do not yet understand the mechanisms by which this “epigenetic inheritance” occurs. Using interdisciplinary approaches, this project combines the power of the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans with cutting-edge single molecule microscopy techniques to determine the molecular mechanisms by which the environment can impact future generations. This should ultimately provide society with the means to harness the power of epigenetics.Read moreRead less
Visualising chromatin changes in 3 dimensions: super to ultra resolution. Packaging of genomic information into the nucleus of a cell necessitates the formation of tightly compacted and highly organized genomic structures within the nucleus, a configuration that is inherently repressive for gene transcription. Hence, mechanisms that alter the spatial organisation of DNA are critical to enable a variety of genome functions, including DNA transcription. This proposal will utilise novel adaptations ....Visualising chromatin changes in 3 dimensions: super to ultra resolution. Packaging of genomic information into the nucleus of a cell necessitates the formation of tightly compacted and highly organized genomic structures within the nucleus, a configuration that is inherently repressive for gene transcription. Hence, mechanisms that alter the spatial organisation of DNA are critical to enable a variety of genome functions, including DNA transcription. This proposal will utilise novel adaptations of super resolution microscopy to visualise in 3 dimensions how changes in chromatin modifications impact genome spatial organisation within the nucleus, and how this then links to cellular differentiation. This will provide a picture of how spatial organisation within the nucleus supports general cell differentiation.
Read moreRead less