Epigenetic profiling for detecting long lasting toxic effects on germline development in vitro

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

The potential impact of either environmental or pharmacological agents on the male or female germlines remains an incredibly poorly understood area of toxicology, particularly in mammalian systems. Studies have anecdotally provided some evidence of drugs (Sodium Valproate) or chemicals (Bisphenol-A) impacting on the germline, and particularly inducing epigenetic changes to subsequent generations, as opposed to genotoxic effects. However, the reproducibility and human relevance of many of these studies has been challenged, with little to no mechanistic information on how these changes may occur, be transmitted and persist into the next generation(s). This project will address this using epigenetic profiling for detecting long lasting toxic effects on germline development in vitro.