Award details

Genomic imprinting in postnatal physiology and behaviour

Reference	BBS/E/B/00001169
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Dr Gavin Kelsey
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	Babraham Institute
Department	Babraham Institute Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	291,767
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/10/2003
End date	30/09/2008
Duration	60 months

Abstract

Genomic imprinting is an unusual way to control genes in mammals. It results in the silencing of one copy of a certain number of genes. For some imprinted genes it is always the copy from the mother that is silenced, for others it is the father¿s copy. Although it seems paradoxical to keep one gene copy inactive, imprinted genes play particularly crucial roles in how babies grow in the womb. It is now apparent that imprinted genes are also important in how babies thrive after birth and imprinted genes have been implicated in other aspects of our health into adulthood, such as controlling blood sugar levels and bodily fat. In this project, we are particularly interested in examining why imprinted genes whose maternal copy is active and why imprinted genes whose paternal copy is active often appear to promote opposite physiological effects. This occurs, for example, in the control of metabolic rate, with a maternal gene promoting leanness and a paternal gene promoting obesity. We shall examine the cells in which this competition occurs and investigate the molecular mechanism involved.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Genes & Developmental Biology (GDB)
Research Topics	Neuroscience and Behaviour
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

I accept the terms and conditions of use (opens in new window)

export PDF file

back to list new search