Epigenetics as genomic modulator
Since epigenetic modifications allow a flexible reaction to changing environmental influences, epigenetics has gained enormously in importance in research: The modification of individual DNA bases and histones enables rapid and reversible environmental adaptations. In current projects we are investigating the heritability of DNA methylation and the impact on the organism's phenotype. The combination of different sequencing technologies, molecular biology and immunohistochemistry methods allows a deep insight into complex processes such as epigenetic silencing.
Chromosomal localization and DNA methylation of satellite DNAs on sugar beet chromosomes detected after fluorescent in situ hybridization and immunostaining by wide-field epifluorescence and structured illumination microscopy (from Zakrzewski et al. 2014).
Selected publications
- Kowar et al. (2016) Repeat composition of CenH3- chromatin and H3K9me2-marked heterochromatin in sugar beet (Beta vulgaris). BMC Plant Biology, 16:120 read article
- Schmidt et al. (2014) Cytosine methylation of an ancient satellite family in the wild beet Beta procumbens. Cytogenetic and Genome Research, 143:1-3, read article
- Zakrzewski et al. (2014) The CHH motif in sugar beet satellite DNA: a modulator for cytosine methylation. The Plant Journal, 78:937-950 read article
- Zakrzewski et al. (2011) Epigenetic profiling of heterochromatic satellite DNA. Chromosoma, 120 (4):409-422 read article