Research in Claudia Köhlers group
Mechanisms of epigenetic inheritance
Genetic information needs to be inherited, from cell to cell and from generation to generation. Genetic information is not only DNA encoded, but to a not yet fully appreciated extend encoded by DNA and histone modifications. These marks establish the "epigenome" and are decisive for cell fate development. How epigenetic information is faithfully inherited from cell to cell and /or from generation to generation is a central question we are currently addressing in our group. We are focusing on the role of Polycomb group proteins in the establishment and maintenance of established transcriptional states. Our previous work showed a connection between Polycomb group proteins and the establishment of genomic imprinting. Genomic imprinting causes allele specific gene expression dependent on the parent the allele is inherited from. Furthermore, we recently discovered that imprinted expression of Polycomb group proteins prevents polyploid formation in plants.
In our research group we are currently addressing three major questions, i) How do Polycomb group proteins establish transcriptional repression? ii) What is the role of imprinted genes during seed development? iii) How are polyploid plants established and which mechanisms counteract their formation?
Our research is funded by the
Swiss National Science Foundation, the
SLU, the
ERC, the
VR and the
Carl Tryggers Stiftelse.
Page updated:
2012-02-01.