Germ cell biology · Developmental programming · Epigenetic inheritance of disease
Two waves of epigenetic remodeling occur after fertilization
More and more studies have shown that parental health conditions predispose offspring to develop diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and behavioral disorders, contributing to the increased prevalence of chronic diseases.
This process is referred to as developmental programming and epigenetic inheritance of diseases.
Despite increasing epidemiological evidence, mechanistic understanding is still sparse.
Our questions
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How does parental health affect the germline in a way that further transmits phenotypic traits?
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How does the placenta respond to an adverse uterine environment and subsequently modify the cellular and physiological function of the offspring?
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Can we systematically model maternal disease signatures via key organ signatures from offspring?
