Johanna Klughammer: "Reference genome independent DNA methylation analysis. Mapping genome-wide DNA methylation patterns across the species tree"

Abstract (auf Englisch)

The genome-wide study of DNA methylation at cytosines is crucial for understanding fundamental biological processes such as animal development, cellular differentiation, and maintenance of cellular identity. Assessing DNA methylation in a large variety of species and in wild populations is expected to provide insights into evolutionary processes, environmental adaptation, and mechanisms of epigenetic regulation.
To enable cost-efficient, genome-wide, high-resolution, and high-throughput analysis of DNA methylation in non-model organisms and in species that lack a high-quality reference genome, we developed an integrated experimental and computational approach for studying DNA methylation independent of a reference genome.
Empowered by this novel approach, we now investigate the evolutionary role of DNA methylation in the determination of cellular identity by mapping cell type specific genome-wide DNA methylation patterns in a large number of animal species across the species tree.