Seminar in epigenetic
Inherited epigenetic dysregulation during early embryonic developmen
Speaker
Serge McGraw, PhD
Researcher, Embryonic and Developmental Epigenetics Lab, Centre de recherche du CHU Sainte-Justine
Assistant Research Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Université de Montréal
My laboratory aims at understanding how, during embryo development, perturbations in the embryo epigenetic program may be involved in the occurrence of prenatal or after birth developmental disorders. To investigate this, we use an embryonic stem cell model in which we can control the expression of DNA methyltransferase-1 (DNMT1)—the major maintenance methyltransferase—to define genome-wide high-resolution mapping of DNA methylation and histone modification signatures behind permanent epigenetic dysregulation following the temporary lack of DNMT1 in embryonic cells. Also, we are investigating how prenatal alcohol exposure induces permanent changes to the developmental programming of early embryos, via the dysregulation of DNA methylation profiles, and how this ultimately alters gene networks crucial for brain development and function. Our research aims to deepen our understanding of how early embryonic epigenetic dysregulations of specific brain-related programs may lead to various degrees of adverse health outcomes in children.
