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

Informations projet

URBANEPIGENETICS

N° de convention de subvention: 659643

DOI

10.3030/659643

Projet clôturé

Date de signature de la CE 17 Mars 2015

Date de début 1 Avril 2015

Date de fin 31 Mars 2017

Financé au titre de

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Coût total

€ 185 857,20

Contribution de l’UE

€ 185 857,20

Coordonné par

LUNDS UNIVERSITET
Sweden

Objectif

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.

Champ scientifique (EuroSciVoc)

• sciences naturelles › sciences biologiques › zoologie › ornithologie
• sciences naturelles › sciences biologiques › génétique › ADN
• sciences naturelles › sciences de la Terre et sciences connexes de l'environnement › science des sols › utilisation des terres
• sciences naturelles › sciences biologiques › génétique › ARN
• sciences naturelles › sciences de la Terre et sciences connexes de l'environnement › sciences de l'atmosphère › climatologie › changement climatique

Mots‑clés

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

Programme(s)

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

Thème(s)

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

Régime de financement

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

Appel à propositions

H2020-MSCA-IF-2014

Coordinateur

LUNDS UNIVERSITET

• Contribution nette de l'UE: € 185 857,20
• Adresse: Paradisgatan 5c ; 22100 Lund ; Suède
• Région: Södra Sverige › Sydsverige › Skåne län
• Type d’activité: Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
• Coût total: € 185 857,20