CMCB Extraordinary Seminar: Prof. Kirsten Sadler, New York University Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Host: Nikolay Ninov (CRTD)

Title: “Epigenetic regulation of regeneration: From mouse livers to Octopus limbs.”

Abstract: Highly regenerative tissues are epigenetically primed to rapidly activate genes that control proliferation. We hypothesized that an epigenetic code underlies this priming in the mouse liver and found that many cell cycle genes exhibit a distinct epigenetic signature in the uninjured state, a pattern that is disrupted upon mutation of the epigenetic regulator UHRF1. Interestingly, manipulation of UHRF1 in zebrafish produces markedly different cellular outcomes compared to mice, though the mechanisms underlying these species-specific differences remain unclear. Extending this work to cephalopods, we are investigating the octopus arm, a continually regenerating structure.  Foundational work in studying regeneration in a non-model organism is underway and providing insight into the gene and transposon regulation mechanisms in this species.