Aims of the lab

The general research interest within my group is to investigate how environmental exposures of a variety of sources (nutrition, contaminants, stress) interfere with developmental and epigenetic mechanisms, and can consequently be involved in phenotypic and epigenetic variation later in life. Additionally, we are interested in how environmental exposures can induce epigenetic modifications in the germ line, as well as the ability of these to be transmitted transgenerationally and influence genetic variability in subsequent generations. From the latter, a strong interest is also about the role of environmentally induced epigenetic mechanisms in evolutionary processes. We have also recently gotten involved with mitochondrial research, particularly the ability of mitochondrial function and epigenome to respond to environmental insults.

Within this general ‘environmental epigenetics’ framework, we are actively investigating different model organisms: chickens, pigs, humans and mouse.

In chickens we investigate the ability of early stress to produce long-term epigenetic changes in peripheral cells and brain regions. We aim to identify epigenetic marks of welfare based on the collection of peripheral tissue, such as red blood cells, as well as to identify lifelong epigenetic dynamics in the brain in response to early stress. Also in chickens, we investigate the ability of early abiotic stress to produce long-term metabolic consequences.

In a mouse model in which transgenerational metabolic effects are triggered, we are investigating the dynamics of epigenetic and genetic changes generation after generation.

In a more applied venue, we are investigating epigenetic and genetic markers of susceptibility of head and neck cancer to treatment options, in order to advance towards personalized treatment.

Our research is only made possible by a network of incredible collaborators around the world, as well as by the generous support of our funders, both governmental agencies and foundations.

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