An ambitious EC-funded research initiative on epigenetics advancing towards systems biology

1. Characterize the epigenomic modifications of the hippocampal neurogenic niche (considering all different cell-populations of the niche) that are modulating adult neuroplasticity in health and in pathology such as stress-related disorders;

2. Explore the functional relevance of the identified epigenomic putative biomarkers for the modulation of the neurogenic niches and neuroplasticity. Analyze their impact in emotional and cognitive behavioral dimensions.

3. Find new potential candidates for the role of active DNA demethylases within the microvascular neurogenic niche and in the process of adult neurogenesis in health and in stress-related disorders.

4. Understand the role of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine and Tet enzymes in adult hippocampal neuronal differentiation and function.

5. Unravel epigenetic mechanisms controlling neuronal differentiation in vitro using an inducible shRNA approach to target candidate epigenetic regulators of neurogenesis.

Researchers involved:

• António Pinheiro (PhD student)
• Nuno Dinis Alves (PhD student)
• Patrícia Patrício (PhD student)
• Ana Rita Santos (Post-doc)
• Joana Correia (master student)
• Ana João Rodrigues (Post-doc)
• Joana Marques(Post-doc)
• João Bessa(Post-doc)