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Sequencing of Epigenetic Marks

Reference	BB/K010859/1
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Sir Shankar Balasubramanian
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	University of Cambridge
Department	Chemistry
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	129,646
Status	Completed
Type	Research Grant
Start date	14/11/2012
End date	13/11/2013
Duration	12 months

Abstract

unavailable

Summary

The ultimate goal is to more accurately sequence the mammalian genome, for the first time identifying both of the modified DNA bases (epigenetic marks) of 5-methylcytosine (5mC) and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) in addition to the 4 primary bases. This will lead to better knowledge of cell function, have important implications in stem cell research, personalised and regenerative medicines, and show substantial commercial utility. All cells in the body have the same DNA sequence but its interpretation (epigenetics) results in formation of different cell types. 5-mC is a well-known epigenetic mark, but the function of 5-hmC is as yet unknown. Our method specifically locates and quantifies these epigenetic marks together in DNA. We will optimise this method to allow its commercial use more widely on more difficult cell types and the whole human genome. Decoding these epigenetic marks will provide greater understanding of cell regulation and could open up new ways of diagnosing disease.

Committee	Not funded via Committee
Research Topics	Technology and Methods Development
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	Follow-On Fund (FOF) [2004-2015]
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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