Epigenome patterning in oocytes and its legacies in the embryo
Lead Research Organisation:
Babraham Institute
Department Name: Epigenetics
Abstract
Although we inherit 22 chromosomes from each of our parents, the egg and the sperm pass on more than the bare DNA sequence. The DNA sequence and the chromosomes themselves are modified by numerous chemical tags - call epigenetic marks - that are vital for specifying which genes should be active and which silent in any cell in our body. Where these epigenetic marks are placed on the DNA is constantly being modified as cells develop and differentiate into different tissues. It is also crucial that most epigenetic marks that were present in the egg and sperm are removed at fertilisation, so that the programme of gene expression for development of the embryo can be kick started correctly. However, some epigenetic tags can persist throughout our lifetimes, and some even remain as a permanent memory of whether a gene came from the egg or sperm. As a result of this special class of tags, some genes exhibit different activities of the copy inherited from mothers and the copy from fathers. These are referred to as "imprinted genes", because they are imprinted differently in the sperm and egg. Imprinted genes are particularly important for the normal development of the placenta and for how the fetus grows.
We are trying to understand how imprinted genes are epigenetically tagged during the development of egg cells and how these tags are remembered as the embryo develops. It seems that different types of epigenetic tags are involved - some directly on DNA, some on the chromosome structure - and some marks will end up more important in the embryo itself whereas others will be more influential in the placenta, which nonetheless can control how the baby grows and develops.
Much of the work we propose will be conducted in mouse models, where we can modify the epigenetic marks on genes, or the activity of genes, and we can access tissues - egg cells and very early embryos - in a way that we cannot do so with human samples.
Some of our work uses very sensitive techniques we have developed that can read all the epigenetic marks in individual cells. We are now using these techniques to understand if there is variation in epigenetic marks in human embryos before they implant. We believe that some differences can be traced back to the eggs from which the embryos developed, leading us to propose that some epigenetic changes could be diagnostic for problems in fertility.
We are trying to understand how imprinted genes are epigenetically tagged during the development of egg cells and how these tags are remembered as the embryo develops. It seems that different types of epigenetic tags are involved - some directly on DNA, some on the chromosome structure - and some marks will end up more important in the embryo itself whereas others will be more influential in the placenta, which nonetheless can control how the baby grows and develops.
Much of the work we propose will be conducted in mouse models, where we can modify the epigenetic marks on genes, or the activity of genes, and we can access tissues - egg cells and very early embryos - in a way that we cannot do so with human samples.
Some of our work uses very sensitive techniques we have developed that can read all the epigenetic marks in individual cells. We are now using these techniques to understand if there is variation in epigenetic marks in human embryos before they implant. We believe that some differences can be traced back to the eggs from which the embryos developed, leading us to propose that some epigenetic changes could be diagnostic for problems in fertility.
Technical Summary
Transmission of epigenetic information from parent to offspring is generally precluded by multiple genome-wide reprogramming steps that occur from the specification of germ cells, during gametogenesis, in the preimplantation embryo, and with establishment of lineage-specific epigenomes from implantation. Yet the extent to which there is inter-generational transmission of epigenetic states is still unclear and of substantial interest, eg, in relation to factors such as the increase in maternal obesity and the programming of adverse metabolic outcomes in offspring, or whether epigenetic fidelity is compromised by procedures for assisted reproduction. Genomic imprinting provides the best paradigm for epigenetic inheritance, and which is fundamentally important for normal offspring growth, development and long-term health. Until recently, it appeared that there was a single modality of imprinting, determined by gamete-derived DNA methylation, but recent studies prompt us to develop a more nuanced view and to recognise additional pathways to imprinting, such as chromatin-determined imprinting.
This programme will explore transcriptional control and how transcription patterns the epigenome in the oocyte and the legacies of these events in the embryo. It will investigate how DNA methylation-dependent and chromatin-dependent modes or imprinting are set up at different times in the female germline and how they contribute in different ways to developmental processes in the embryo and extra-embryonic lineages. It will assess general principles at the genome-wide scale, but also work at the level of specific loci to test mechanistic details and functional impacts of the different modes of imprinting. It will explore variation in DNA methylation in human preimplantation embryos, how this variation can be traced back to methylation variation in oocytes and seek to eludiate the genetic basis and pathophysiological correlates of such variation.
This programme will explore transcriptional control and how transcription patterns the epigenome in the oocyte and the legacies of these events in the embryo. It will investigate how DNA methylation-dependent and chromatin-dependent modes or imprinting are set up at different times in the female germline and how they contribute in different ways to developmental processes in the embryo and extra-embryonic lineages. It will assess general principles at the genome-wide scale, but also work at the level of specific loci to test mechanistic details and functional impacts of the different modes of imprinting. It will explore variation in DNA methylation in human preimplantation embryos, how this variation can be traced back to methylation variation in oocytes and seek to eludiate the genetic basis and pathophysiological correlates of such variation.
Planned Impact
Our research aims to understand fundamental processes in oocytes (egg cells) by which epigenetic information is set up, and how epigenetic information is then passed on and modified in the embryo. Epigenetic information comprises the chemical tags on the DNA or the chromosomes that help demarcate active and inactive genes. In general, epigenetic information present in oocytes is erased in the early embryo to enable the embryonic gene expression programme to be properly executed, as well as to prevent transmission of epigenetic abnormalities between parents and offspring, which could be acquired as a result of environmental factors or diet. Despite the general reprogramming of epigenetic informaion, some needs to be transmitted from the egg and faithfully maintained for proper development of the fetus; this occurs at a class of genes called imprinted genes. Recent work has shown that there is an unexpected diversity of imprinted genes specified by different types of epigenetic information present in eggs: those controlled by chemical tags directly on the DNA (methylation); or those controlled by modifications on chromosome proteins (histones). We are only beginning to understand the extent and significance for normal development of these newly identified forms of imprinting. Moreover, it is still not fully understood the extent to which epigenetic information is destabilised by environmental factors or by processes associated with assisted reproduction technologies (ART). Therefore, it is imperative that further developments in ART methods that seek to improve fertility treatments are evaluated for epigenetic safety, because epigenetic errors in early development can have long-term impacts on offspring health and modify an individual's risk of disease in later life.
Much of our research will be done in a model organism, the mouse, in which these processes are most easy to investigate and because the processes are generally conserved with human. We shall also investigate the extent of epigenetic variation in human eggs and early embryos, where we believe that DNA methylation variation could be a robust molecular marker of gene expression anomalies in the ovary, and could influence the potential of the embryo for normal development.
Therefore, we expect to have impact in knowledge of the basic molecular mechanisms that govern how genes are controlled in the egg, and in the mechanisms that determine how epigenetic information is retained in the embryo to ensure correct imprinting. These advances will have wide-ranging impact in the academic community interested in mammalian developmental epigenetics and transgenerational inheritance. And they could have impact on our understanding of possible epigenetic contributions to chronic disease for which genetic causes remain ill-defined.
Our investigation of the extent and consequences of epigenetic variation in human eggs and embryos will have impact for clinicians working in reproductive medicine and for patients seeking fertility treatments, or undergoing fertility preservation.
We also expect major impact of our research in the technical capabilities we have and the advances we shall continue to make in methods for profiling epigenetic marks in very small numbers of cells or in single cells. Such advances are having widespread application in biomedical research, providing new levels of understanding of cell-fate decisions, and cell identity and function, both in normal development and physiology and in disease. We collaborate with several groups (both academic and biotech sectors) from research areas unrelated to our field who have an interest in applying these cutting-edge methods to their own biomedical questions. Therefore, we anticipate significant impact in training and knowledge exchange also at a technical level.
Much of our research will be done in a model organism, the mouse, in which these processes are most easy to investigate and because the processes are generally conserved with human. We shall also investigate the extent of epigenetic variation in human eggs and early embryos, where we believe that DNA methylation variation could be a robust molecular marker of gene expression anomalies in the ovary, and could influence the potential of the embryo for normal development.
Therefore, we expect to have impact in knowledge of the basic molecular mechanisms that govern how genes are controlled in the egg, and in the mechanisms that determine how epigenetic information is retained in the embryo to ensure correct imprinting. These advances will have wide-ranging impact in the academic community interested in mammalian developmental epigenetics and transgenerational inheritance. And they could have impact on our understanding of possible epigenetic contributions to chronic disease for which genetic causes remain ill-defined.
Our investigation of the extent and consequences of epigenetic variation in human eggs and embryos will have impact for clinicians working in reproductive medicine and for patients seeking fertility treatments, or undergoing fertility preservation.
We also expect major impact of our research in the technical capabilities we have and the advances we shall continue to make in methods for profiling epigenetic marks in very small numbers of cells or in single cells. Such advances are having widespread application in biomedical research, providing new levels of understanding of cell-fate decisions, and cell identity and function, both in normal development and physiology and in disease. We collaborate with several groups (both academic and biotech sectors) from research areas unrelated to our field who have an interest in applying these cutting-edge methods to their own biomedical questions. Therefore, we anticipate significant impact in training and knowledge exchange also at a technical level.
Organisations
- Babraham Institute (Lead Research Organisation)
- Medical Research Council (Collaboration)
- Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (Collaboration)
- University of East Anglia (Collaboration)
- IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON (Collaboration)
- National Research Council (Collaboration)
- Yokohama City University (Collaboration)
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute (Collaboration)
- EMBL European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL - EBI) (Collaboration)
- Cardiff University (Collaboration)
- Technical University of Dresden (Collaboration)
- Curie Institute Paris (Institut Curie) (Collaboration)
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Collaboration)
- Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (Collaboration)
People |
ORCID iD |
Gavin Kelsey (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Demond H
(2023)
Multi-omics analyses demonstrate a critical role for EHMT1 methyltransferase in transcriptional repression during oogenesis.
in Genome research
Demond H
(2020)
The enigma of DNA methylation in the mammalian oocyte.
in F1000Research
Claxton M
(2022)
Variable allelic expression of imprinted genes at the Peg13, Trappc9, Ago2 cluster in single neural cells
in Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
Castillo-Fernandez J
(2020)
Increased transcriptome variation and localised DNA methylation changes in oocytes from aged mice revealed by parallel single-cell analysis.
in Aging cell
Description | European Oocyte Biology Research Innovation Training Network |
Amount | € 3,978,647 (EUR) |
Funding ID | 860960 |
Organisation | European Commission H2020 |
Sector | Public |
Country | Belgium |
Start | 11/2019 |
End | 10/2023 |
Title | DNA methylation profile in immunodeficiency |
Description | Single-cell DNA methylation datasets of lymphocytes in twins discordant for common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Too early to say |
URL | https://www.ebi.ac.uk/ena/browser/text-search?query=PRJEB50820 |
Title | DNA methylation profiles of blastocysts after natural ovulation, superovulation or oocyte culture |
Description | Whole-genome DNA methylation datasets from individual mouse blastocysts derived from oocytes from natural ovulation, superovulation of in vitro follicle culture |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Too early to say |
URL | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/query/acc.cgi?acc=GSE205097 |
Title | Epigenomic analysis of mouse post-implantation embryos |
Description | Allellic DNA methylation, gene expression and histone modification datasets from embryonic tissues from mouse. Allows genome-wide identification of genes controlled by genomic imprinting, and distinction of imprinting conferred by DNA methylation or repressive chromatin in oocytes. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2019 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Published in Hanna et al. Genome Biol 2019 PMID: 31665063 |
URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/query/acc.cgi?acc=GSE124216 |
Title | Epigenomic analysis of oocytes lacking H3K4 methyltransferase SETD1B |
Description | H3K4me3 ChIP-seq and DNA methylation (WGBS) datasets from wild-type and Setd1b conditional knock-out mouse oocytes |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Too early to say |
URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/query/acc.cgi?acc=GSE167987 |
Title | Gene expression and DNA methylation variation with age in oocytes from mice |
Description | Parallel, single-cell genome-wide bisulphite-sequencing and RNA-sequencing datasets from oocytes from reproductively young and old mice (C57BL6/Babr) |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Too early to say |
URL | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/query/acc.cgi?acc=GSE154370 |
Title | Methylation analysis of hydatidiform mole tissue with KHDC3L mutation |
Description | DNA methylation datasets from control placenta, biparental mole with KHDC3L mutation, and sporadic androgenetic mole analysed using using Infinium MethylationEPIC 850K Bead Chip. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2019 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Published in Demond et al. Genome Med 2019 PMID: 31847873 |
URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/query/acc.cgi?acc=GSE138864 |
Title | Methylation analysis of oocytes and embryo with KHDC3L mutation |
Description | Whole-genome DNA methylation datasets from 5 oocytes and 1 preimplantation embryo from patient with a KHDC3L mutation that causes reproductive failure. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2019 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Published in Demond et al. Genome Med 2019 PMID: 31847873. Provides first evidence that mutations in components of the subcortical maternal complex of the oocyte cause a genome-wide disruption of DNA methylation establishment in oocytes that will manifest as defective imprinting in the conceptus. |
URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/query/acc.cgi?acc=GSE122872 |
Title | Multi-omic analyses of oocytes lacking H3K9 methyltransferases EHMT1/2 |
Description | H3K9me3 ChIP-seq, DNA methylation (WGBS) and RNA-seq datasets from wild-type and Ehmt1&2 conditional knock-out mouse oocytes |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Too early to say |
URL | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/query/acc.cgi?acc=GSE191026 |
Title | Multi-omic analyses of oocytes lacking H3K9 methyltransferases EHMT1/2 - proteomics |
Description | Proteomics datasets from wild-type and Ehmt1&2 conditional knock-out mouse oocytes |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Too early to say |
URL | http://proteomecentral.proteomexchange.org/cgi/GetDataset?ID=PXD030265 |
Title | Single-cell RNA-seq from oocytes and preimplantation embryos |
Description | Single-cell RNA-seq from oocytes and preimplantation embryos to profile gene expression changes in human preimplantation development |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Too early to say |
URL | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/bioproject/?term=630371 |
Title | Single-cell multi-omics data from human pre-implantation embryos |
Description | Single-cell RNA-seq and BS-seq datasets from arrested human pre-implantation embryos |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Too early to say |
URL | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/bioproject/?term=PRJNA630371 |
Title | Single-cell multi-omics data in oocytes in diet study |
Description | Single-cell RNA-seq and BS-seq datasets in oocytes from females exposed to gestational high-fat diet |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Too early to say |
URL | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/query/acc.cgi?acc=GSE175538 |
Description | Chromatin remodelling in germ cells |
Organisation | MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Training in low-input chromatin profiling |
Collaborator Contribution | Project conception, sample generation, data analysis |
Impact | Joint publication: PMID: 34880491 |
Start Year | 2018 |
Description | Chromatin remodelling in oocytes |
Organisation | Technical University of Dresden |
Country | Germany |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Project concept, data generation, data analysis |
Collaborator Contribution | sample generation, data analysis |
Impact | Joint publication: PMID: 35137160 |
Start Year | 2010 |
Description | DNA methylation analysis of mouse oocytes after superovulation |
Organisation | Vrije Universiteit Brussel |
Country | Belgium |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Performed genome-wide DNA methylation analysis of mouse oocytes and blastocysts and bioinformatics analysis of datasets. |
Collaborator Contribution | Generated samples: mouse oocytes obtained after natural ovulation, superovulation or in vitro culture, as well as blastocysts derived from these embryos |
Impact | Joint publication Saenz-de-Juano et al. 2019 Clin Epigenetics PMID: 31856890 Joint publication Saucedo-Cuevas et al. 2023 Clin Epigenetics PMID: 36647174 Partners in further funding: H2020 MCSA Innovative Training Network EurOVA, awarded 2019 |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | Investigating role of LTRs in imprinted gene regulation |
Organisation | Curie Institute Paris (Institut Curie) |
Country | France |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Molecular analysis of mouse embryos with deletion of LTR element controlling imprinted gene. |
Collaborator Contribution | Generation of mouse embryos with deletion of LTR element controlling imprinted gene. |
Impact | Joint publication Hanna et al. 2019 Genome Biol. PMID: 31665063 |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | Methylation analysis of KHDC3L mutation |
Organisation | National Research Council |
Department | Institute of Genetics and Biophysics (IGB) |
Country | Italy |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Generation of methylation datasets from oocytes and preimplantation embryo and bioinformatic analysis |
Collaborator Contribution | Generation of methylation array datasets from placenta and molar tissue |
Impact | Joint publication Demond et al. Genome Med 2019 PMID: 31847873 |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | Multi-omics analysis of EHMT1/2-deficient oocytes |
Organisation | Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Project conception, sample generation, data analysis |
Collaborator Contribution | Generation of proteomics datasets from mouse oocytes and analysis |
Impact | Joint publication: Demond et al. 2023 Genome Res PMID: 36690445 Joint grant application submitted |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | RNA and methylation analysis of oocytes and embryos |
Organisation | Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute |
Country | Spain |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Single-cell RNA-seq and single-cell BS-seq of oocyte and preimplantation embryo samples from which to profile expression of candidate regulators of imprinting. |
Collaborator Contribution | Molecular and cell biology analysis of ;imprinting regulator ZFP57 and other candidate regulators; patient recruitment; sample generation. |
Impact | Joint publication: Monteagudo-Sanchez et al. 2020 PMID: 33053156 Joint grant application. |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | Single-cell analysis in immune deficiency |
Organisation | Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute |
Department | Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Programme |
Country | Spain |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Generation of single-cell DNA methylation datasets |
Collaborator Contribution | Project conception, sample generation, data analysis |
Impact | Joint publication: Rodríguez-Ubreva et al. 2022 Nat Comms PMID: 35365635 |
Start Year | 2015 |
Description | Single-cell analysis in immune deficiency |
Organisation | EMBL European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL - EBI) |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Generation of single-cell DNA methylation datasets |
Collaborator Contribution | Project conception, sample generation, data analysis |
Impact | Joint publication: Rodríguez-Ubreva et al. 2022 Nat Comms PMID: 35365635 |
Start Year | 2015 |
Description | Single-cell analysis in immune deficiency |
Organisation | Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute |
Country | Spain |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | Generation of single-cell DNA methylation datasets |
Collaborator Contribution | Project conception, sample generation, data analysis |
Impact | Joint publication: Rodríguez-Ubreva et al. 2022 Nat Comms PMID: 35365635 |
Start Year | 2015 |
Description | Single-cell epigenomic profiling of spermatogonial stem cells |
Organisation | Yokohama City University |
Country | Japan |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Our group is providing expertise in single-cell methylation and expression profiling methods. |
Collaborator Contribution | Their group is responsible for framing the project and experimental design and for providing isolated mouse spermatogonial stem cells. |
Impact | Hosted visit by post-doc from collaborating group to initiate single cell methylation/transcription profiling. Joint grant awarded: Royal Society International Exchange Award IEC\R3\170052 (March 2018 March 2020): Analysis of spermatogonial stem cell maintenance and differentiation system by the state-of-the-art single-cell technology. |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | Single-cell multi-omic analysis of human preimplantation embryos |
Organisation | Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute |
Department | Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Programme |
Country | Spain |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Generation of single-cell multi-omic datasets (RNA-seq, BS-seq) from human oocytes and single blastomeres of preimplantation embryos |
Collaborator Contribution | Project conception, sample generation, data analysis |
Impact | Joint publication: Hernandez Mora et al. 2023 Cell Reports PMID: 36763500 |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | Single-cell multi-omic analysis of human preimplantation embryos |
Organisation | University of East Anglia |
Department | School of Biological Sciences UEA |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Generation of single-cell multi-omic datasets (RNA-seq, BS-seq) from human oocytes and single blastomeres of preimplantation embryos |
Collaborator Contribution | Project conception, sample generation, data analysis |
Impact | Joint publication: Hernandez Mora et al. 2023 Cell Reports PMID: 36763500 |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | Single-cell multi-omic analysis of oocytes in diet study |
Organisation | Cardiff University |
Department | School of Biosciences |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Generation of single-cell multi-omic datasets (RNA-seq, BS-seq) from mouse oocytes from females exposed to gestational high-fat diet |
Collaborator Contribution | Oroject conception, sample generation, data analysis |
Impact | Joint publication: Van der Pette et al. 2022 Nat Comms PMID: 35513363 |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | Single-cell multi-omic analysis of oocytes in diet study |
Organisation | Imperial College London |
Department | MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Generation of single-cell multi-omic datasets (RNA-seq, BS-seq) from mouse oocytes from females exposed to gestational high-fat diet |
Collaborator Contribution | Oroject conception, sample generation, data analysis |
Impact | Joint publication: Van der Pette et al. 2022 Nat Comms PMID: 35513363 |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | Babraham Schools' Day |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | As part of the wider Babraham Institute Schools' Day, my group ran projects for groups of 3-4 GCSE and A level students. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | Cambridge Reproduction SRI, online workshop: "Interdisciplinary reflections on inheritance, development and environment" |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | An online seminar that launched the research theme "Inheritance, Development and Environment" within the Cambridge Reproduction Strategic Research Initiative. Speakers from a range of departments across the University, encompassing molecular genetics, evolution theory and social science gave short presentations, followed by discussion. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://www.repro.cam.ac.uk/events/interdisciplinary-reflections-inheritance-development-and-environ... |
Description | ESHG course 'Next-generation Reproductive Medicine' |
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 | Lecture and interactive sessions at the ESHG course 'Next-generation Reproductive Medicine', Maastricht October 2022 Debates about various aspects of contemporary reproductive medicine and assisted reproduction Audience (100+ in person and online) comprised students and practitioners in reproductive medicine and assisted reproduction. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.mumc.nl/actueel/agenda/course-next-generation-reproductive-medicine |
Description | Epigenetics Escape Room Cambridge Science Festival event |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Online escape room style engagement resource. Developed by researchers with puzzles linking to real life research. Event was run as part of Cambridge Science Festival with public audiences taking part and learning more about the Institute and our epigenetics research |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://escape.babraham.ac.uk/ |
Description | Form the Future Careers Talk |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Careers talk to sixth form aged students (Netherhall School, Cambridge) covering careers in bioscience, personal career journey and an overview of research interests. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Form the Future School Careers Event |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | 180 sixth form aged students attended this event (hosted at St Bedes School, Cambridge) where staff discussed and answered questions about what a bioscience career is like as well as discussing research interests. Teachers reported that students had increased their knowledge of such careers and especially highlighted the breadth of different roles the event highlighted to them. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Royal Society of Medicine CPD meeting on 'Epigenetics' |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Continuing professional development event held by the Royal Society of Medicine to raise awareness of epigenetics amongst medical professionals, students, junior doctors. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://www.rsm.ac.uk/events/medical-genetics/2018-19/mgm03/ |