“The Arabidopsis Epigenome,” will be presented by Dr. Xiaoyu Zhang, The University of Georgia. Epigenetic chromatin modifications, including DNA methylation and histone modifications, play critically important roles in regulating gene expression, maintaining chromosome stability, and defending the genome against invading genetic elements. We use the flowering plant Arabidopsis thaliana as a model system to study the mechanisms and functions of various epigenetic pathways. Results from our genome-wide profiling studies showed that four distinct combinations of modifications are associated with the four major types of transcription units in the genome, namely actively transcribed genes, developmentally repressed genes, transposable elements and other repetitive sequences, and intergenic regions. We are currently using a combination of biochemistry, genetic and genomic approaches to understand two main questions: how epigenetic modification machineries are recruited to specific sites and, once established, how these modifications may facilitate or inhibit molecular processes taking places in the chromatin environment.
The seminar begins at 4:00 p.m., preceded by a reception at 3:30 p.m. The seminar is free and open to the public. The Beadle Center is located at 1901 Vine Street. The complete schedule of seminars may be found at http://biotech.unl.edu/
More details at: http://events.unl.edu/2012/02/29/64254/