Project Details
Projekt
Do long-lived conifers react to environmental stress by somatic epigenetic priming? Genomic methylation analysis at single-base resolution by means of exome capture and bisulfite sequencing in Norway spruce
Applicant
Professorin Dr. Katrin Heer
Subject Area
Forestry
Plant Genetics and Genomics
Plant Genetics and Genomics
Term
from 2014 to 2016
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 270835586
For trees as long-lived sessile organisms with long generation times, the response to environmental changes is a major challenge. Even more than for other organisms epigenetic mechanisms may represent a fast and therefore central mitigation strategy for trees. However, the exploration of epigenetic processes and mechanisms especially in conifers has been difficult due to their large and repetitive genomes. Following the completion of the first conifer reference genome of Picea abies recently, and the overall provisioning of efficient genomic techniques new research opportunities arise. In this study we aim to investigate the methylation profile of Picea abies to find out whether coherent changes in DNA methylation status occur dependent on environmental conditions (epigenetic priming). As a proof-of-principle, we aim to conduct targeted bisulfite sequencing in order to identify the methylation status of Picea abies for the complete exome. By using pairs of ortets and ramets that have been growing under different environmental conditions, we will determine whether methylation profiles differ in general between these pairs. Furthermore, we will use the recently published and annotated Picea abies reference genome to check á posteriori whether there are differences in methylation status in specific genes (e.g. related to circadian rhythms, bud phenology and stress) between otherwise genetically identical individuals. Significant changes would imply that gene methylation permits phenotypic changes within the life time of an organism.
DFG Programme
Research Grants
