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Title: Epigenetic Case Studies in Agricultural Animals

Author
item Liu, Ge - George

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/25/2008
Publication Date: 7/20/2008
Citation: Liu, G. 2008. Epigenetic Case Studies in Agricultural Animals. [abstract]. International Society for Animal Genetics Conference Proceedings.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: In many biological processes, the regulation of gene expression involves epigenetic mechanisms. An altered pattern of epigenetic modification is central to many animal diseases. Using animal disease models, we have studied one of the major epigenetic components: DNA methylation. We characterized the impacts of tissue types, ages and generations on the DNA methylation status of multiple genes in disease-resistant and susceptible animals. These results indicate that differential levels of DNA methylation of important candidate genes are related to the distinct traits of the animal models and could contribute to their resistance or susceptibility to diseases. We are also probing recent technological advances, which allow epigenetics to be studied at a genome-wide scale. Now it is time to apply epigenomics approaches to animal epigenetics research.