An ambitious EC-funded research initiative on epigenetics advancing towards systems biology 87

We are interested in epigenetic reprogramming in mammalian development, which occurs on a large scale in primordial germ cells and early embryos. Reprogramming probably has important roles in erasing parental imprints, returning the genome to a pluripotent state, removing acquired epimutations, and is potentially also important for the control of transposons. We are particularly interested in genome-wide erasure of DNA methylation, which may occur by a combination of mechanisms including passive demethylation, modification of methylcytosine by deamination or oxidation, and DNA repair.  We are studying the dynamics of these novel DNA modifications by genome-wide profiling techniques during ES cell differentiation, and during experimental reprogramming to iPS cells. Some of the dynamics associated with early lineage decisions and reprogramming may lend themselves to computational and modeling approaches.

People involved in the lab:

• Tim Hore, postdoc

Related video to Wolf Reik:

• “Epigenetic reprogramming in mammalian development”