Award details

Babraham Special EU Studentship: Sequence based prediction and identification of imprinted genes

Reference	BBS/E/B/0000L747
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Dr Gavin Kelsey
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	Babraham Institute
Department	Babraham Institute Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	87,560
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/10/2009
End date	30/09/2012
Duration	36 months

Abstract

We inherit genes from our fathers and mothers and for most of our genes the copies we receive from either parent are equally active. An important exception to this general rule occurs in a process called genomic imprinting, which results in one copy of some genes being deliberately silenced. These imprinted genes are important in determining how babies grow and how infants adapt their physiology to life outside the womb. Imprinted genes behave in this manner because they are marked in different ways in the male and female germ cells (eggs and sperm). How these marks are made in germ cells and how they are then maintained in the baby and into adult life is not understood, but is important to find out. If the marking process goes wrong problems in fertility or developmental abnormalities may arise; incorrect imprinting is also a cause of cancer and may contribute to other ageing related diseases. Correct imprint marks are also important for the maintenance of stem cells. In this project, we are investigating the signals in our genes that put these marks in place and the processes needed to maintain them throughout life.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Not funded via Committee
Research Topics	Ageing, Stem Cells
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