The Role Of Nutrition In Disease-linked Epigenetic Inheritance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$485,412.00
Summary
This project aims to investigate one mechanism behind fetal programming, in which a suboptimal in utero environment can affect health of offspring in later life. We and others have recently shown that fetal programming can be caused by changes in the way genes behave, and we will examine how many genes are affected by these changes. We will ask whether the changes can increase in frequency with long-term exposure to nutritional stress, and become entrenched within the population.
Epimutations As Germ-line Defects In Hereditary Cancer Syndromes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$385,925.00
Summary
Traditionally familial cancers were thought to be caused and inherited by spelling mistakes within the genetic code of cancer prevention genes. Our group has found that a 'chemical coat' around the MLH1 gene, causing it to be switched off, can also be inherited in some cases of bowel cancer, without any mistakes within the gene's code. We will determine if this 'coat' causes other types of cancer and if this runs in families. We also hope to find out how the coat is formed and may be reversed.
I am a reproductive biologist whose research is focussed around understanding how the early events of conception and embryo development are controlled. Critical aspects of my research are to determine the consequences to pregnancy and adult health if the
Mapping EQTL To Dissect The Genetic Basis Of Complex Trait Variation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$719,525.00
Summary
People vary in traits such as height and blood pressure and in their susceptibility to common disease. Part of these differences between individuals is because of their genetic make-up. This research is about understanding which of the genes are involved in common variation and how they work. In particular, the researchers investigate if variation in DNA sequence causes genes to be expressed more or less and how gene expression affects risk of disease.
Determining The Impact Of Inherited Epigenetic Information On Development And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$511,691.00
Summary
Recent observations show that the environment in which you live can alter disease susceptibility in your children, without altering the sequence of your genes. This is due to epigenetic mechanisms which control the way the DNA is interpreted. In this study we will study the potential for epigenetic mechanisms to affect sperm production and impact characteristics and disease in the next generation.