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

The development of complex eukaryote organisms entails protein factors that recognize specific DNA sequences, but also epigenetic marks such as DNA methylation. DNA methylation profiles undergo dynamic changes during embryogenesis, which ultimately contribute to produce distinct cell types of an organism. Perturbation of this DNA methylation program is believed to play causal roles in the appearance of certain diseases such as cancer. Our laboratory is using genome-wide DNA methylation mapping technologies to identify target genes of DNA methylation in developing mouse cell lineages and decipher the role of DNA methylation in lineage choices. We are also studying the impact of environmental factors (such as exposure to chemical pollutants) on DNA methylation patterns in the mouse, which can provide epigenetic biomarkers relevant for human pathologies.

People involved:

• Dr Sylvain Guibert (postdoc)
• Ambre bender (PhD student)