Project description DEENESFRITPL The evolution of epigenetic modifications and their role in species adaptation Epigenetic modifications are chemical modifications on histones and DNA and play a central role in gene expression regulation. However, little is known about how these modifications change in the course of evolution. The EU-funded DECAF project will use DNA methylation as a model and investigate stably methylated genetic sites in the avian genome. Scientists are also interested to understand and determine the selective forces acting on DNA methylation diversity in natural populations. Results will help unveil the role of methylated sites in species differentiation and provide unprecedented information on epigenetically driven adaptation. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective Epigenetics plays a fundamental role in the function and regulation of the genome. From an evolutionary viewpoint, a pressing question is whether epigenetic modifications are a source of adaptive variation. To answer this question substantial attention is being given to the epigenetic marks themselves, but surprisingly little is known about the evolutionary underpinnings of the genomic sites that anchor them. Using novel analytical and technical approaches, I want to address this fundamental knowledge gap. I will use the best understood epigenetic mark, DNA methylation, as a model and advance on recent findings in avian genome evolution, epigenetic inheritance and sequencing technology. This will enable me to pinpoint signatures of epigenetically driven adaptation. I have designed separate approaches at three different levels: (1) At the individual level, to identify stably methylated anchors in the avian germline with focus on a recently discovered germline-specific chromosome, (2) at the population level, to establish the selective forces acting on DNA methylation diversity in natural populations and (3) at the species level, to gain insight into how fast-mutating anchors of DNA methylation act as potential facilitators of species differentiation and barriers. Ultimately, by combining these three levels I will be able to pinpoint epigenetic anchors that are involved in molecular adaptation. The possible research outcomes will not only be valuable to evolutionary biologists and ecologists, but will also make fundamental contributions to molecular biology and possibly medical research, and will deepen our understanding of how epigenetic marks manifest themselves at the sequence level. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsDNAnatural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticschromosomesnatural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsgenomesnatural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsepigeneticsnatural sciencesbiological sciencesmolecular biology Keywords adaptive evolution DNA methylation speciation gene-flow mutation rate variation embryogenesis bird genomics whole genome sequencing epigenetics Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme Topic(s) ERC-2020-STG - ERC STARTING GRANTS Call for proposal ERC-2020-STG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-STG - Starting Grant Host institution TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAT DORTMUND Net EU contribution € 1 078 828,49 Address AUGUST SCHMIDT STRASSE 4 44227 Dortmund Germany See on map Region Nordrhein-Westfalen Arnsberg Dortmund, Kreisfreie Stadt Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 1 078 828,49 Beneficiaries (2) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAT DORTMUND Germany Net EU contribution € 1 078 828,49 Address AUGUST SCHMIDT STRASSE 4 44227 Dortmund See on map Region Nordrhein-Westfalen Arnsberg Dortmund, Kreisfreie Stadt Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 1 078 828,49 UNIVERSITAET BIELEFELD Participation ended Germany Net EU contribution € 421 109,51 Address UNIVERSITAETSSTRASSE 25 33615 Bielefeld See on map Region Nordrhein-Westfalen Detmold Bielefeld, Kreisfreie Stadt Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 421 109,51
