The epigenetic basis of early-life effects in a wild bird exposed to urban environmental stress

Información del proyecto

URBANEPIGENETICS

Identificador del acuerdo de subvención: 659643

DOI

10.3030/659643

Proyecto cerrado

Fecha de la firma de la CE 17 Marzo 2015

Fecha de inicio 1 Abril 2015

Fecha de finalización 31 Marzo 2017

Financiado con arreglo a

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Coste total

€ 185 857,20

Aportación de la UE

€ 185 857,20

Coordinado por

LUNDS UNIVERSITET
Sweden

Objetivo

The impact of urbanisation on wildlife is of increasing global concern. It is well known that exposure to urban environmental stressors increases oxidative stress. More recently, exposure to pollutants has been shown to directly modify the epigenome, via DNA methylation, in humans. Oxidative stress may be a key mechanism mediating epigenetic modifications in response to pollutant exposure and thereby influencing development, disease resistance and ageing. This multidisciplinary project outlines the first study to date of the epigenetic basis of early-life effects in a wild bird exposed to urban environmental stress. Early-life stress exposure can have profound effects on phenotypic development and long-term fitness. Epigenetic mechanisms are influenced by environmental cues during development and therefore may mechanistically link developmental conditions with later-life performance. Using urban and rural populations of birds, we will perform experimental studies in the field and lab to examine whether increased oxidative stress during development modifies patterns of global and gene-specific DNA methylation and thereby alters genome stability (via DNA damage and telomere attrition) and expression of antioxidant genes. To achieve this, we propose a new framework to explain how the modification of DNA methylation and telomere length may be linked and decoupled by the direct and indirect effects of oxidative stress at different stages during development. Pilot data support this framework. This will enable us to disentangle the mechanistic relationships between exposure to urban stressors, oxidative stress, DNA methylation and telomere dynamics during development and the consequences for growth and survival in an altricial bird species. The project has implications for multiple EU policies and H2020 focus areas. By combining the researcher’s existing expertise with new skills and opportunities, the project will enhance career prospects and advance the research field.

Ámbito científico (EuroSciVoc)

• ciencias naturales › ciencias biológicas › zoología › ornitología
• ciencias naturales › ciencias biológicas › genética › ADN
• ciencias naturales › ciencias de la tierra y ciencias ambientales conexas › ciencia del suelo › utilización de las tierras
• ciencias naturales › ciencias biológicas › genética › ARN
• ciencias naturales › ciencias de la tierra y ciencias ambientales conexas › ciencias de la atmósfera › climatología › cambios climáticos

Palabras clave

• urban ecology
• oxidative stress
• telomere dynamics
• environmental stress
• early-life stress
• avian
• DNA methylation
• Parus major

Programa(s)

• H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions PROGRAMA PRINCIPAL
  
• H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
  

Tema(s)

• MSCA-IF-2014-EF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-EF)
  

Régimen de financiación

MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)

Convocatoria de propuestas

H2020-MSCA-IF-2014

Coordinador

LUNDS UNIVERSITET

• Aportación neta de la UEn: € 185 857,20
• Dirección: Paradisgatan 5c ; 22100 Lund ; Suecia
• Región: Södra Sverige › Sydsverige › Skåne län
• Tipo de actividad: Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
• Coste total: € 185 857,20