Unravelling the networks that regulate seasonal rhythmicity in the epigenome
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Edinburgh
Department Name: The Roslin Institute
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
Technical Summary
We will investigate how seasonal clocks are regulated by epigenetic processes. This arises from our discovery that the PT thyrotroph (calendar cell) operates a binary switch mechanism over the circannual cycle. We aim to discover mechanisms involved. Our model is the seasonal sheep.
We will use ChIP-seq to define the relative contribution of the PcGs and TrxG complexes in driving the changing epigenetic landscape of the PT over the circannual cycle, and how the balance of these marks regulates a cellular binary switch. RNA-seq and Bis-seq data will also be collected in order to develop a full regulome of the PT over the circannual cycle.
The PcG element, EZH2 is the key component driving H3K27me3 and repression of target genes. Building on our recent studies, revealing an important co-activation role for EZH2 in driving EYA3 on long photoperiods, we will investigate a novel binary switch mechanism involving epigenetic repression and simultaneous co-activation by PcG, using a cellular model for EYA3 and CHGA switching. Our methods include used of engineered BACs , live single cell imaging, and bioinformatic models to test how dynamic methylation changes drive long-term transcriptional programmes. We will then test these outcomes in primary cells collected over the circannual cycle.
We will define mechanisms by which circadian clock elements regulate EYA3, CHGA and EZH2, and their interaction with PcG components, and BRET and mass spectrometry approaches (RIME), establish the role of post-translational modifications.
We will define morphological remodelling of the PT calendar cells, using 3-dimensional electron microscopic approaches and advanced optical (light-sheet) microscopy, to address how binary switching of individual calendar cell thyrotrophs is propagated across the PT tissue.
Finally, we will define the role of circannual timing circuits in the domestication and control of breeding seasons in different sheep breeds.
We will use ChIP-seq to define the relative contribution of the PcGs and TrxG complexes in driving the changing epigenetic landscape of the PT over the circannual cycle, and how the balance of these marks regulates a cellular binary switch. RNA-seq and Bis-seq data will also be collected in order to develop a full regulome of the PT over the circannual cycle.
The PcG element, EZH2 is the key component driving H3K27me3 and repression of target genes. Building on our recent studies, revealing an important co-activation role for EZH2 in driving EYA3 on long photoperiods, we will investigate a novel binary switch mechanism involving epigenetic repression and simultaneous co-activation by PcG, using a cellular model for EYA3 and CHGA switching. Our methods include used of engineered BACs , live single cell imaging, and bioinformatic models to test how dynamic methylation changes drive long-term transcriptional programmes. We will then test these outcomes in primary cells collected over the circannual cycle.
We will define mechanisms by which circadian clock elements regulate EYA3, CHGA and EZH2, and their interaction with PcG components, and BRET and mass spectrometry approaches (RIME), establish the role of post-translational modifications.
We will define morphological remodelling of the PT calendar cells, using 3-dimensional electron microscopic approaches and advanced optical (light-sheet) microscopy, to address how binary switching of individual calendar cell thyrotrophs is propagated across the PT tissue.
Finally, we will define the role of circannual timing circuits in the domestication and control of breeding seasons in different sheep breeds.
Planned Impact
This project addresses how seasonal timing mechanisms and circannual cycles are generated in mammals. Our studies aim to characterize the contributions of environmentally controlled transcriptional switches in the regulation of neuroendocrine control of seasonal timing, explore and test underlying epigenetic mechanisms involved. The studies will illustrate fundamental control mechanisms involved in growth, metabolism, immunity and reproduction in a livestock species and vertebrates more widely. This will provide insight into the genetic pathways that have been under selection during the evolution of livestock species, and how environmental signals are involved. It will also define the role for environmentally controlled epigenetic switches.
Involvement with industry: There is considerable interest within "pharma" in developing tools to regulate epigenetic processes, from cancer biology to psychiatry, and the existing close research links and formal cross-institutional memorandum of understanding with GSK and Manchester University, including a free exchange of research staff between the two institutions, will allow access to novel tool compounds to test in cellular and tissue assays. DB and staff at Roslin are part of the International Sheep Genome Consortium (ISGC). Together these projects and contacts provide a natural route to disseminate and exploit epigenetic information from within this project to industry and the wider community. Furthermore, links with the Sheep Genome Consortia and Breeding Societies is expected to lead to new opportunities and funding applications.
Implications for new understanding of domestication: This application will lead to an advance in knowledge of mechanisms regulating growth and reproduction in a livestock species. A stated long-term outcome of our project is to extend our studies to comparative genomics of different sheep breeds, and test the hypothesis that pathways, genes and circuits involved in seasonal timing have been selected for in the course of domestication.
Potential links to human health: Longer term, there are potential applications from our studies for the targeting of neuroendocrine pathways involved in growth and metabolism
In humans, shift work and of non-resonant/non-circadian feeding times have profound metabolic consequences. This represents a wide-spread problem in society as it likely underpins the health problems associated with long-term shift work patterns, and affecting 20% of the workforce in industrialized countries and greatly increasing the risk of metabolic diseases. The studies outlined in this application could define quite novel epigenetic mechanisms in which rhythmic signals may control metabolic processes, and help inform appropriate circadian management protocols with ultimate application to man, healthy living. Recent publications have demonstrated the effects of seasonal timing on human health, for example seasonal variation in human immunity has been reported (Dopico 2015 Nature communications, 6, 7000) and the effect of melatonin on the seasonality of multiple sclerosis relapses (Farez 2015, Cell, 162(6), 1338-1352). These publications suggest that the impact of seasonal timing may be similar to the impact of the circadian clock on human health and disease, emphasizing the potential importance and translational potential of investigating this timing mechanism in a well-established seasonal model organism (sheep).
Involvement with industry: There is considerable interest within "pharma" in developing tools to regulate epigenetic processes, from cancer biology to psychiatry, and the existing close research links and formal cross-institutional memorandum of understanding with GSK and Manchester University, including a free exchange of research staff between the two institutions, will allow access to novel tool compounds to test in cellular and tissue assays. DB and staff at Roslin are part of the International Sheep Genome Consortium (ISGC). Together these projects and contacts provide a natural route to disseminate and exploit epigenetic information from within this project to industry and the wider community. Furthermore, links with the Sheep Genome Consortia and Breeding Societies is expected to lead to new opportunities and funding applications.
Implications for new understanding of domestication: This application will lead to an advance in knowledge of mechanisms regulating growth and reproduction in a livestock species. A stated long-term outcome of our project is to extend our studies to comparative genomics of different sheep breeds, and test the hypothesis that pathways, genes and circuits involved in seasonal timing have been selected for in the course of domestication.
Potential links to human health: Longer term, there are potential applications from our studies for the targeting of neuroendocrine pathways involved in growth and metabolism
In humans, shift work and of non-resonant/non-circadian feeding times have profound metabolic consequences. This represents a wide-spread problem in society as it likely underpins the health problems associated with long-term shift work patterns, and affecting 20% of the workforce in industrialized countries and greatly increasing the risk of metabolic diseases. The studies outlined in this application could define quite novel epigenetic mechanisms in which rhythmic signals may control metabolic processes, and help inform appropriate circadian management protocols with ultimate application to man, healthy living. Recent publications have demonstrated the effects of seasonal timing on human health, for example seasonal variation in human immunity has been reported (Dopico 2015 Nature communications, 6, 7000) and the effect of melatonin on the seasonality of multiple sclerosis relapses (Farez 2015, Cell, 162(6), 1338-1352). These publications suggest that the impact of seasonal timing may be similar to the impact of the circadian clock on human health and disease, emphasizing the potential importance and translational potential of investigating this timing mechanism in a well-established seasonal model organism (sheep).
Publications
Wood S
(2020)
Circadian clock mechanism driving mammalian photoperiodism
in Nature Communications
Morris KM
(2020)
The quail genome: insights into social behaviour, seasonal biology and infectious disease response.
in BMC biology
Description | The overarching aim of our project is to define how long-term seasonal rhythms of physiology and fertility are generated in a mammal, a problem of considerable agricultural importance, as it underpins virtually all production systems. We are the only group in the UK working on this problem in agricultural models, and have established an un-rivalled expertise in the background genomics and technology infra-structure to achieve these goals. Our goal is to discover whether an "epigenetic" process underpins this binary switch and whether this switch drives long-term rhythm generation. Epigenetics is defined as the structural adaptation of chromosomal regions so as to register, signal or perpetuate altered activity states without changes to DNA sequence. It involves modification of histone proteins around which DNA is wrapped, and also the chemical nature (methylation) of one of the DNA nucleotides (cytosine). We use sheep as a model, as its robust seasonal phenotype, characterised genome and well-defined physiology, offers an outstanding model organism for such studies. Our focus of interest is a small region of the pituitary gland, the pars tuberalis (PT), as this is site where the hormone melatonin acts, to generate photoperiodic responses. Within the PT, long-term rhythms are generated, driving long-term "circannual" cycles of hormone secretion and fertility. We set 3 objectives in the current BBSRC-funded project. 1) Defining the circannual epigenome within the PT calendar cell 2) Establishing control mechanisms driving binary switching and 3) Defining implications of anatomical re-modelling by the circannual clock. Our analytical lab-based platforms - some novel and developed by us in the project - have allowed us to map genomic sites of regulation combining ChIP-SEQ, and single-nuclear sequencing analysis. Our success in developing these techniques has allowed us to interrogate genome-wide remodelling of the PT clockwork and obtain a new understanding of how timing of breeding is controlled in an agriculturally important animal species. |
Exploitation Route | Understanding biological clocks and seasonal timing molecular mechanisms. |
Sectors | Agriculture Food and Drink |
URL | https://www.ed.ac.uk/roslin/news-events/latest-news/archive/2020/brain-study-uncovers-key-to-seasonal-timing |
Description | Core Member BBSRC Panel A Response Mode |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Membership of a guideline committee |
Description | Identification of the photoreceptor for light detection in the avian brain |
Amount | £246,909 (GBP) |
Funding ID | RPG-2016-392 |
Organisation | The Leverhulme Trust |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2017 |
End | 09/2020 |
Title | Additional file 1 of The quail genome: insights into social behaviour, seasonal biology and infectious disease response |
Description | List of unannotated quail genes and their manual annotation |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://springernature.figshare.com/articles/Additional_file_1_of_The_quail_genome_insights_into_soc... |
Title | Additional file 1 of The quail genome: insights into social behaviour, seasonal biology and infectious disease response |
Description | List of unannotated quail genes and their manual annotation |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://springernature.figshare.com/articles/Additional_file_1_of_The_quail_genome_insights_into_soc... |
Title | Additional file 10 of The quail genome: insights into social behaviour, seasonal biology and infectious disease response |
Description | Pathway analysis from photoperiod study |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://springernature.figshare.com/articles/Additional_file_10_of_The_quail_genome_insights_into_so... |
Title | Additional file 10 of The quail genome: insights into social behaviour, seasonal biology and infectious disease response |
Description | Pathway analysis from photoperiod study |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://springernature.figshare.com/articles/Additional_file_10_of_The_quail_genome_insights_into_so... |
Title | Additional file 11 of The quail genome: insights into social behaviour, seasonal biology and infectious disease response |
Description | Sequences of cathelicidins and defensin genes identified in quail genome |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://springernature.figshare.com/articles/Additional_file_11_of_The_quail_genome_insights_into_so... |
Title | Additional file 11 of The quail genome: insights into social behaviour, seasonal biology and infectious disease response |
Description | Sequences of cathelicidins and defensin genes identified in quail genome |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://springernature.figshare.com/articles/Additional_file_11_of_The_quail_genome_insights_into_so... |
Title | Additional file 12 of The quail genome: insights into social behaviour, seasonal biology and infectious disease response |
Description | List of differentially expressed genes, FDR 1.6 in infection study |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://springernature.figshare.com/articles/Additional_file_12_of_The_quail_genome_insights_into_so... |
Title | Additional file 12 of The quail genome: insights into social behaviour, seasonal biology and infectious disease response |
Description | List of differentially expressed genes, FDR 1.6 in infection study |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://springernature.figshare.com/articles/Additional_file_12_of_The_quail_genome_insights_into_so... |
Title | Additional file 13 of The quail genome: insights into social behaviour, seasonal biology and infectious disease response |
Description | Overrepresented GO terms in differentially expressed genes in infection study |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://springernature.figshare.com/articles/Additional_file_13_of_The_quail_genome_insights_into_so... |
Title | Additional file 13 of The quail genome: insights into social behaviour, seasonal biology and infectious disease response |
Description | Overrepresented GO terms in differentially expressed genes in infection study |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://springernature.figshare.com/articles/Additional_file_13_of_The_quail_genome_insights_into_so... |
Title | Additional file 14 of The quail genome: insights into social behaviour, seasonal biology and infectious disease response |
Description | List of the cluster of genes upregulated in duck at day 1 during HPAI infection, with the corresponding fold changes in each species. NS = Not significantly differentially regulated |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://springernature.figshare.com/articles/Additional_file_14_of_The_quail_genome_insights_into_so... |
Title | Additional file 14 of The quail genome: insights into social behaviour, seasonal biology and infectious disease response |
Description | List of the cluster of genes upregulated in duck at day 1 during HPAI infection, with the corresponding fold changes in each species. NS = Not significantly differentially regulated |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://springernature.figshare.com/articles/Additional_file_14_of_The_quail_genome_insights_into_so... |
Title | Additional file 15 of The quail genome: insights into social behaviour, seasonal biology and infectious disease response |
Description | Regulation of IFITM, MHC and TLR family genes in quail, chicken and duck following HPAI and LPAI infection |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://springernature.figshare.com/articles/Additional_file_15_of_The_quail_genome_insights_into_so... |
Title | Additional file 15 of The quail genome: insights into social behaviour, seasonal biology and infectious disease response |
Description | Regulation of IFITM, MHC and TLR family genes in quail, chicken and duck following HPAI and LPAI infection |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://springernature.figshare.com/articles/Additional_file_15_of_The_quail_genome_insights_into_so... |
Title | Additional file 16 of The quail genome: insights into social behaviour, seasonal biology and infectious disease response |
Description | Viral read presence in quail samples |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://springernature.figshare.com/articles/Additional_file_16_of_The_quail_genome_insights_into_so... |
Title | Additional file 16 of The quail genome: insights into social behaviour, seasonal biology and infectious disease response |
Description | Viral read presence in quail samples |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://springernature.figshare.com/articles/Additional_file_16_of_The_quail_genome_insights_into_so... |
Title | Additional file 3 of The quail genome: insights into social behaviour, seasonal biology and infectious disease response |
Description | Location of breakpoints between chicken and quail chromosomes |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://springernature.figshare.com/articles/Additional_file_3_of_The_quail_genome_insights_into_soc... |
Title | Additional file 3 of The quail genome: insights into social behaviour, seasonal biology and infectious disease response |
Description | Location of breakpoints between chicken and quail chromosomes |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://springernature.figshare.com/articles/Additional_file_3_of_The_quail_genome_insights_into_soc... |
Title | Additional file 4 of The quail genome: insights into social behaviour, seasonal biology and infectious disease response |
Description | Percent of quail genes with orthologs identified in related bird genomes |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://springernature.figshare.com/articles/Additional_file_4_of_The_quail_genome_insights_into_soc... |
Title | Additional file 4 of The quail genome: insights into social behaviour, seasonal biology and infectious disease response |
Description | Percent of quail genes with orthologs identified in related bird genomes |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://springernature.figshare.com/articles/Additional_file_4_of_The_quail_genome_insights_into_soc... |
Title | Additional file 5 of The quail genome: insights into social behaviour, seasonal biology and infectious disease response |
Description | BED file containing location of ERVs in quail genome |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://springernature.figshare.com/articles/Additional_file_5_of_The_quail_genome_insights_into_soc... |
Title | Additional file 5 of The quail genome: insights into social behaviour, seasonal biology and infectious disease response |
Description | BED file containing location of ERVs in quail genome |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://springernature.figshare.com/articles/Additional_file_5_of_The_quail_genome_insights_into_soc... |
Title | Additional file 6 of The quail genome: insights into social behaviour, seasonal biology and infectious disease response |
Description | BED file containing location of ERVs in turkey genome |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://springernature.figshare.com/articles/Additional_file_6_of_The_quail_genome_insights_into_soc... |
Title | Additional file 6 of The quail genome: insights into social behaviour, seasonal biology and infectious disease response |
Description | BED file containing location of ERVs in turkey genome |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://springernature.figshare.com/articles/Additional_file_6_of_The_quail_genome_insights_into_soc... |
Title | Additional file 7 of The quail genome: insights into social behaviour, seasonal biology and infectious disease response |
Description | A comparative summary of assembled ERVs in quail, chicken and turkey |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://springernature.figshare.com/articles/Additional_file_7_of_The_quail_genome_insights_into_soc... |
Title | Additional file 7 of The quail genome: insights into social behaviour, seasonal biology and infectious disease response |
Description | A comparative summary of assembled ERVs in quail, chicken and turkey |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://springernature.figshare.com/articles/Additional_file_7_of_The_quail_genome_insights_into_soc... |
Title | Additional file 8 of The quail genome: insights into social behaviour, seasonal biology and infectious disease response |
Description | List of selection signatures detected from the HSR / LSR lines |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://springernature.figshare.com/articles/Additional_file_8_of_The_quail_genome_insights_into_soc... |
Title | Additional file 8 of The quail genome: insights into social behaviour, seasonal biology and infectious disease response |
Description | List of selection signatures detected from the HSR / LSR lines |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://springernature.figshare.com/articles/Additional_file_8_of_The_quail_genome_insights_into_soc... |
Title | Additional file 9 of The quail genome: insights into social behaviour, seasonal biology and infectious disease response |
Description | Statistics from photoperiod differential expression study |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://springernature.figshare.com/articles/Additional_file_9_of_The_quail_genome_insights_into_soc... |
Title | Additional file 9 of The quail genome: insights into social behaviour, seasonal biology and infectious disease response |
Description | Statistics from photoperiod differential expression study |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://springernature.figshare.com/articles/Additional_file_9_of_The_quail_genome_insights_into_soc... |
Title | Comparing selection in breeds of sheep with long and short breeding season |
Description | We sequenced 50 individuals from rare breeds of primitive sheep from phenotypic extremes regarding the timing and duration of breeding season. These were genotyped at 30x on the HiSeqX. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2018 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | We identified strong selection signatures on genes, many of which were associated with neurological development. |
Title | Sheep Timeseries RNASeq |
Description | We have used RNASeq to capture both daily and seasonal rhythms in the transcriptome of sheep pars tuberalis (PT). PT samples are from 60 sheep in controlled environments at long and short photoperiods. Samples were taken at ZT4 at days 1, 7, 28, 84, and 112 into the photoperiod. Two 24 hour times series were sampled in long and short photoperiods at 28 days every 4 hours. BioProject: PRJNA391103 |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2018 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | It has enabled us to identify the circadian clock components that are seasonally regulated by photoperiod. |
Title | Sheep methylation timeseries RRBS |
Description | We have used RRBS to capture both daily and seasonal rhythms in the methylome of sheep pars tuberalis (PT). PT samples are from 60 sheep in controlled environments at long and short photoperiods. Samples were taken at ZT4 at days 1, 7, 28, 84, and 112 into the photoperiod. Two 24 hour times series were sampled in long and short photoperiods at 28 days every 4 hours. BioProject: PRJNA391103 |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2018 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | We were able to identify targeted seasonal changes in methylation in response to photoperiod. |
Description | Collaboration with Dr Michele Johnston, Trinity University in San Antonio, USA |
Organisation | Trinity University |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Collaboration regarding early life effects and Lizard opsins |
Collaborator Contribution | Research collaboration |
Impact | Research collaboration |
Start Year | 2022 |
Description | Collaboration with the Rare Breed Survival Trust (RBST) to study the genetics of rare breeds of sheep |
Organisation | Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | Sampling and resequencing DNA from rare breed sheep. This assists our research into identifying the genetics and selection of seasonal phenotypes and also has a wider impact for RBST, for UK agriculture, and globally in understanding and preserving the genetics of rare breeds. The collaboration also allows us to effectively disseminate the latest research to the rare breeds community via the RBST farmers network and publications. |
Collaborator Contribution | RBST provide specialist knowledge of the breeds that RSBT manage. An introduction to breeders for obtaining genetics samples. Feedback and consultation on design and ethical evaluation of the research. A network for the dissemination of research finding. |
Impact | We collected DNA for WGS from rare breed Portland sheep. RBST provided the introduction to relevant breeders and approval and feedback on the letter of introduction and informed consent. RBST recently extended an invitation to publish an article in their breeding magazine to update members on research outcomes. |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | Collaboration with the Shetland Sheep Society (SSS) to study the genetics of rare breeds of sheep |
Organisation | Shetland Sheep Society |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | Sampling and resequencing DNA from rare breed sheep. This assists our research into identifying the genetics and selection of seasonal phenotypes and also has a wider impact for SSS, for UK agriculture, and globally in understanding and preserving the genetics of rare breeds. The collaboration also allows us to effectively disseminate the latest research to the rare breeds community via the SSS farmers network and publications. |
Collaborator Contribution | SSS provide specialist knowledge of the breeds that SSS manage. An introduction to breeders for obtaining genetics samples. Feedback and consultation on design and ethical evaluation of the research. A network for the dissemination of research finding. |
Impact | We collected DNA for WGS from rare breed Shetland breed sheep. SSS provided the introduction to relevant breeders. |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | 2017 Seminar: "Neuroendocrine and environmental interactions underlying reproductive behaviour in birds" The Institute of Biological & Environmental Sciences, The University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Talk given at the university and discussions with academics. Has inspired future collaborations with the University of Aberdeen. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | BBSRC Japan Partnering Workshop on Neuroendocrine Control of Reproduction |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Japan Partnering Workshop. Invited speaker from Japan. Engaged with staff, post graduate students and undergraduate students. 20 People attended and presented. Much discussion and plans made for further collaboration and visits to Japan in 2019. In addition talks surrounding future careers for post docs and PhD students. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Inaugural Lecture Seasonal Reproduction in Birds: From Seeing the Light to Weathering the Storm |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Inaugural lecture at the University of Edinburgh |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/seasonal-reproduction-in-birds-from-seeing-the-light-to-weathering-th... |
Description | Industry Insights Day for Women in STEM |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
Results and Impact | Opportunity for female undergraduate students considering a career in academia to be inspired by women in STEM. Talk and Q&A session. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Meet the Scientists Professor Simone Meddle on hormones and animal behaviour Birds turning down their stress responses during breeding season, rats enjoying being tickled, and time-travelling. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | Web page interview. Professor Simone Meddle on hormones and animal behaviour Birds turning down their stress responses during breeding season, rats enjoying being tickled, and time-travelling. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://www.ed.ac.uk/roslin/news-events/meet-our-scientists/simone-meddle |
Description | Projects Update Meeting regarding Circannual Clock in Lake District (With collaborators in University of Manchester, The Arctic University of Norway, and various interested emeritus professors) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Two days of talks, discussions and planning meetings with participants and scientific advisors regarding progress on sheep circannual related projects. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Seminar: "Neuroendocrine and environmental interactions underlying reproductive behaviour in birds" The Department of Zoology and Physiology, The University of Wyoming, Laramie, USA. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Seminar: "Neuroendocrine and environmental interactions underlying reproductive behaviour in birds" The Department of Zoology and Physiology, The University of Wyoming, Laramie, USA. Inspired women in STEm. This has sparked an exchange partnership between University of Wyoming and Roslin. I hosted a visiting group composed of undergraduate students in Jan 2018 from University of Wyoming. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Society for Research on Biological Rhythms (SRBR) meeting 2018 poster presentation (Amelia Island, FL, USA) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Poster presentation entitled: Genome-wide changes in DNA methylation mark the changing seasons in mammalian calendar cells. Reported on progress in seasonal changes in DNA CpH methylation determined by RRBS. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | https://srbr.org/meetings/upcoming-meeting/ |
Description | Talk ISGC workshop PAGXXV, San Diego, CA, USA, 2017 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | A talk on "Genome Wide Transcript and Methylation Changes in the Sheep Seasonal Clock" to the workshop organised by the International Sheep Genome Consortium. There were a number of questions and discussion as to how seasonal biology could be important in other agricultural traits (e.g. seasonal epigenetic control of salmon maturation). |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
URL | http://www.intlpag.org/2017/program/workshop-list-xxv |
Description | Talk ISGC workshop PAGXXV, San Diego, CA, USA, 2017 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | A talk on "Genome Wide Transcript and Methylation Changes in the Sheep Seasonal Clock" to the workshop organized by the International Sheep Genome Consortium. This included an update on the current progress on genotyping/resequencing exotic breeds with seasonal phenotypes. There were a number of questions and discussion as to how seasonal biology could be important in other agricultural traits (e.g. seasonal epigenetic control of salmon maturation). |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
URL | http://www.intlpag.org/2017/program/workshop-list-xxv |
Description | Talk at Cambridge Livestock Genomics Meeting, Cambridge, UK, 2016 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Talk on "Genome Wide Transcript and Methylation Changes in the Sheep Seasonal Clock". The Livestock Genomics Meeting encompasses groups working across livestock species which provides invaluable incite into relevant work in other species and how our work is applicable to other traits of agricultural and economic importance. The talk prompted valuable discussion with groups working in the U.S. and Japan. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | Talk at the Roslin Computational Genetics Discussion Group |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Talk entitled "Genome Wide Transcript and Methylation Changes in the Sheep Seasonal Clock". There were useful questions on the status of EYA3 as a candidate seasonal regulator and discussion on the application of the work to breeding for seasonal phenotypes. An overview of the progress on resequencing exotic breeds was also discussed, which was of particular relevance to the genetics audience. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
URL | https://www.wiki.ed.ac.uk/display/RCG/Computational+Genetics+Discussion+Group |
Description | Talk on Clocks and Photoperiod: DNA methylation in the sheep pituitary (Babraham Institute, Cambridge) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Talk at Cross institute interdisciplinary workshop on Epigenetics. Very useful feedback and questions received regarding the talk and a number of scientists expressed interest in our findings. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Talk: Epigenetics and seasonal biology at Wild Clocks Conference (Munich, Germany) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Invited by session chair to talk about our work on circannual ovine DNA methylation in the PT. There were many questions on the talk and considerable interest in our findings. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | https://www.orn.mpg.de/wild-clocks-conference |
Description | The Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology • 2020 Annual Meeting • Austin, TX USA 3rd to 7th January 2020. Neuropsin and VA-opsin both facilitate photoinduction of avian seasonal breeding |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Discussion and questions |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | The Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology • 2020 Annual Meeting • Austin, TX USA 3rd to 7th January 2020. The reduction in negative feedback sensitivity underlies seasonal changes in corticosterone in free-living migrant white-crowned sparrows |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Discussion and collaboration |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | Transcriptional and Epigenetic Regulation of Seasonal Timing. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Invited lecture: Transcriptional and Epigenetic Regulation of Seasonal Timing. In "Evolution of seasonal timers". The 64th NIBB Conference, Okazaki Conference Centre, Okazaki, Japan. 22-24 April, 2016. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |