Establishing a tractable epigenetic clock in Nasonia vitripennis

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Ageing is a complex process which is influenced by a myriad of genetic and environmental factors. Investigating ageing is troublesome, particularly in complex mammalian models. Ageing research is largely conducted using simple model invertebrates. There are a number of advantages to these models. However, current invertebrate models are of little use in the study of epigenetics in ageing due to their lack of DNA methylation.This project aims to establish a tractable epigenetic clock in the wasp Nasonia vitripennis, which will aid in the formation of an insect model for epigenetic ageing. Nasonia possess a functional DNA methylation system, making it an ideal candidate for this purpose. This project will use life span experiments and whole genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) to measure chronological and epigenetic ageing in drug altered and diapaused Nasonia. The aims of this project are: - To discover the effects of the methylation altering agent decitabine on epigenetic ageing and lifespan. - To discover if the known lifespan increasing effects of a-ketoglutarate are associated with a reduction in epigenetic ageing in insects so that we can bridge the gap between drug induced changes in epigenetic clocks and real increases in lifespan. - To discover if larval diapause early in life alters adult epigenetic ageing so that we can understand the effects of early life history on epigenetic ageing in adult insects. WGBS will be used to calculate the epigenetic clock. BS-Seq libraries will be prepared, sequenced, and aligned to the reference genome. A penalised regression will be conducted in order to identify age significant CpGs. Epigenetic age will be extracted from this model and plotted against chronological age. The establishment of a tractable insect epigenetic clock will open up a new area in biogerontology, delving into the molecular mechanisms of the malleability of the epigenetic clock and investigating the underpinning biology of epigenetic ageing.