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

Institut Sophia Agrobiotech (ISA) UMR INRA 1355 -CNRS 7254-University Nice Sophia Antipolis

Transmission of epigenetic marks in insects

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Our work focuses on the frequency and density dependent genes using the fly Drosophila and honey bee as models. We analyze also these genes is the aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum, which combines clonal and sexual reproduction. This class of genes is controlled by environmental factors and the mechanisms leading to their regulation are little understood. Their pattern of expression seems heritable over a given number of generations depending on the demography and/or the pressure of environmental conditions. We have reported that aphid clonal phenotypic variability is under control of the genome methylation in clonality context and the complete mapping of the "methylome" of the aphid genome has recently been achieved in our group. We aim to unravel the non mendelian genetic mechanisms underlying the recruitment of these genes leading to adapted phenotypes. In parallel, one focus of our work consists in examining the comparative status of the transmission of epigenetic marks in clonality and sexuality.

Team:

• Alain Robichon DR2 CNRS
• Maria Capovilla CR1 CNRS
• Hussein Raad pHD student
• Amandine ADA M assistant engineer
• Post doc (in process of recruitment)