Epigenetic regulation of genomic stability and inheritance

精子通过将DNA和相关的化学(表观遗传)修饰传递给后代来调节遗传。我们假设，表观遗传修饰保护DNA在精子形成过程中免受突变。使用创新模型，我们的跨学科团队将确定特定表观遗传修饰的丢失是否允许精子发生突变，以及这些突变是否会传递给后代。我们的工作将有助于理解精子中新的突变是如何产生的，并可能影响后代的表型、适应和进化。由于化学品、药物和饮食可以影响表观遗传功能，我们的研究也将有助于确定表观遗传如何影响环境、农业和医疗保健结果。

Sperm mediate inheritance by transmitting DNA and associated chemical (epigenetic) modifications to offspring. We hypothesise that epigenetic modifications protect DNA from mutations during sperm formation. Using innovative models, our interdisciplinary team will determine whether loss of specific epigenetic modifications permits mutations in sperm and whether these mutations are transmitted to offspring. Our work will contribute to understanding how new mutations arise in sperm and potentially affect offspring phenotype, adaptation and evolution. As chemicals, drugs and diet can affect epigenetic function, our studies will also contribute to determining how epigenetic inheritance affects environmental, agricultural and healthcare outcomes.