Programming and reprogramming the epigenome: implications for stem cell and cancer biology
| Dates: | 14 March 2014 |
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| Times: | 14:00 - 15:00 |
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| What is it: | Seminar |
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| Organiser: | Faculty of Life Sciences |
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| Who is it for: | University staff, Current University students |
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| Speaker: | Cinzia Allegrucci |
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This seminar is part of the Manchester Tissue Regeneration & Stem Cell Network seminar series. Cell identity and homeostasis are regulated by controlled mechanisms that are established during embryogenesis and maintained in adult tissues. These are epigenetic mechanisms which regulate gene expression by modifications imposed on the chromatin without change in the DNA sequence. While heritable, epigenetic modifications are reversible and their dynamic interplay provides cells with ability to respond to environmental cues. Epigenetic modifications can therefore regulate phenotype plasticity in different cell types in normal tissues, but also cause disease if abnormally regulated. Cancer is a disease characterised by abnormal cell proliferation and it is associated with both genetic lesions and epigenetic abnormalities. Silencing of tumour suppressor genes by methylation at their promoter regions is an early event in tumour formation, suggesting a critical role for this epigenetic alteration in carcinogenesis. In this seminar I will discuss the role of epigenetics in cancer. I will present how DNA methylation defects can be imposed in normal stem cells by environmental factors and program their transformation and tumorigenic potential. I will also describe how we can reverse silencing of tumour suppressor genes in cancer by epigenetic reprogramming to halt tumour growth. The implication of these research findings for the development of novel epigenetic therapies for cancer treatment and prevention will be discussed.
Speaker
Cinzia Allegrucci
Organisation: University of Nottingham
Travel and Contact Information
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Lecture Theatre
Michael Smith Building
Manchester
