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SUMMARY:Epigenetic Inheritance: What Is It and Why Is It Important? - Prof
  Anne Ferguson-Smith
DTSTART:20210204T181500Z
DTEND:20210204T194500Z
UID:TALK155734@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Miroslava Novoveska
DESCRIPTION:Link to join the YouTube live stream:\n\nhttps://youtu.be/LD-A
 2mShl3Q\n\nEpigenetic modifications are chemical marks present on DNA and 
 on the proteins that package our DNA into chromosomes. These modifications
  influence the architecture of our\nchromosomes\, modulate gene expression
  and supress the repetitive mobilizable elements that represent around hal
 f of our DNA.\nOur DNA provides the fundamental framework for heritability
 . Nonetheless\, a number of studies suggest that there may be transmission
  of traits from parents to offspring\, including\nthose influenced by envi
 ronmental insults\, that might not be mediated genetically. Might this inh
 eritance be epigenetically conferred?\nEpigenetic modifications are dynami
 c and cell-type specific. In mammals\, erasure and re-establishment of epi
 genetic states from one generation to the next ensures that a fresh\nepige
 nome is reinstated in offspring and that epigenetic marks established in o
 ne generation are not inherited. Some processes\, however\, such as the re
 markable process\nof genomic imprinting\, require inheritance of epigeneti
 c modifications at specific DNA regions to confer a memory of parental ori
 gin and regulate some genes in the next\ngeneration. The epigenetic inheri
 tance of these imprints is a highly-regulated process. But might epigeneti
 c inheritance in mammals be more widespread?\nIt is difficult to design ro
 bust experiments to understand and elucidate epigenetic inheritance. This 
 is particularly relevant in investigations into the environmental modulati
 on\nof epigenetic states in one generation that might have an influence on
  outcomes in offspring and grand-offspring. That the behaviours of one gen
 eration might have a profound impact on the well-being of our descendants 
 is an area that engages the society at large. Understanding the extent and
  mechanisms of epigenetic inheritance is key to a full appreciation of her
 itability in health and disease. I will present data from newly conducted 
 experiments to explore the mechanisms and implications of epigenetic inher
 itance in mammals.
LOCATION:Online
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