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Project

A single-cell integrative (epi)genomics and transcriptomics atlas of human preimplantation embryogenesis to understand cause and effect of (epi)genome dynamics in the first days of human development

The first cell cycles of human life are commonly subject to genome instability. However, the causes and consequences of the genetic alterations in the cells of the developing embryo remain to be investigated. Also the epigenetic landscape –i.e. modifications to the DNA that do not change the DNA-sequence but which can be heritable and control the expression of genes in the cells– is remodelled during early development of a human embryo. This project aims to develop and apply a novel, state-of-the-art single-cell sequencing method for simultaneous genome, epigenome and transcriptome analysis of the same single cell to study for the first time the interplay between the genome, epigenome and transcriptome within single cells across human embryos at different developmental stages. This will provide fundamental novel insight on the impact of acquired (epi)genetic modifications on the cell’s gene expression profile and hence on the function and potential fate of that cell. Additionally, the technology will reveal epigenomic and transcriptomic perturbations that may underlie the instability of the genome following fertilization.

Date:1 Jan 2018 →  31 Dec 2021
Keywords:Epigenomics, Transcriptomics, Human preimplantation embryogenesis, Epigenome dynamics
Disciplines:Laboratory medicine, Palliative care and end-of-life care, Regenerative medicine, Other basic sciences, Other health sciences, Nursing, Other paramedical sciences, Other translational sciences, Other medical and health sciences