The adaptive relevance of epigenetics for the ecology and evolution of species, especially the role of epigenetics in interactions of species with their (a)biotic environments, is practically unknown. A key challenge for NIOO is to study this in a variety of species with respect to their ecological traits. Our aims are:

  • Integrate high-resolution epigenomic tools with ecological studies in non-model species
  • Expose the epigenetic contributions to complex traits, their environmental plasticity and microevolution
  • Develop advanced bioinformatics expertise to support state-of-the-art in-house epigenetic analysis at NIOO and share this with national and international colleagues.

Epigenetics may enable rapid environmental responses and generate heritable variation, and is therefore particularly relevant for understanding species’ climate change adaptations and potentially for improvement of low-diversity crops. 

 

Contact


Kees van Oers


Koen Verhoeven

Spotlight

What traits can you pass on to your children as a mother plant? More than what's in your genes!  Inheritable traits are also based ON your genes, called 'epigenetic'. For example, if caterpillars are bugging you during your plant life, you can't pass on a protective warning via your genes anymore. But you can via the epigenetic route. An epigenetic addition more or less, like a methyl group shown as red dots here, can make a gene functional or not. So: engage that gene for bitter-tasting compounds, dandelion! As a result, the young dandelion seedlings may be safeguarded from their early start onwards: protected from the hungry caterpillars roaming about.