Reprogramming the epigenome for stem cells and in ageing
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Cambridge
Department Name: Wellcome Trust - MRC Cam Stem Cell Inst
Abstract
Epigenetic information in the genome is important for normal development and its deregulation can be associated with various diseases. Epigenetic information is generally stable in differentiated cells in the adult organism, though it degrades during ageing. However in germ cells, early embryos, naïve embryonic stem cells and iPS cells genome-wide reprogramming of epigenetic information takes place. Epigenetic reprogramming is associated with the return of the genome to pluripotency or potentially totipotency, the erasure of epimutations, resetting parental imprints, and possibly the repression of retrotransposons in the germline. Epigenetic reprogramming is also critical for experimental reprogramming such as cloning by nuclear transfer, cell fusion, and iPS cell generation. Erasure of epigenetic information in the germ line is incomplete however and this may result in transgenerational epigenetic inheritance. Single cell DNA methylation sequencing has also revealed substantial epigenetic heterogeneity between cells, which may be associated with transcriptional and functional diversification of cells during development or ageing. Predictable epigenetic changes occur during the ageing process raising the question of whether there is an epigenetic programme that might underlie aspects of ageing and functional decline.
People |
ORCID iD |
Wolf Reik (Primary Supervisor) | |
Celia Alda Catalinas (Student) |
Publications

Alda-Catalinas C
(2021)
Pooled CRISPR-activation screening coupled with single-cell RNA-seq in mouse embryonic stem cells.
in STAR protocols

Alda-Catalinas C
(2020)
A Single-Cell Transcriptomics CRISPR-Activation Screen Identifies Epigenetic Regulators of the Zygotic Genome Activation Program.
in Cell systems

Clark SJ
(2018)
scNMT-seq enables joint profiling of chromatin accessibility DNA methylation and transcription in single cells.
in Nature communications

Eckersley-Maslin M
(2019)
Dppa2 and Dppa4 directly regulate the Dux-driven zygotic transcriptional program.
in Genes & development

Eckersley-Maslin MA
(2018)
Dynamics of the epigenetic landscape during the maternal-to-zygotic transition.
in Nature reviews. Molecular cell biology
Studentship Projects
Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
BB/M011194/1 | 30/09/2015 | 29/09/2023 | |||
1645504 | Studentship | BB/M011194/1 | 30/09/2015 | 29/09/2019 | Celia Alda Catalinas |
Description | School's day Babraham Institute |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Public engagement activities prepared for GCSE and A level students, including hands-on activities, bioinformatic analysis and career dicussions and advice. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016,2017 |