# Uncovering the epigenetic codes for genome integrity, developmental and environmental interaction.

> **NIH NIH R35** · UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON · 2020 · $376,140

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Epigenetic modification is an important gene regulatory mechanism and plays quintessential roles in
the control of genome integrity, development, environmental responses, and diseases. Despite the
large amount of studies describing altered modification patterns in abnormal developmental and
pathological tissues, whether they are a cause or a consequence is poorly understood. This proposal
dissects molecular mechanism of epigenetic regulation and functional consequences of altered
epigenetic patterns under physiological conditions. Specifically, we investigate 1) how chromatin
senses and memorizes the environmental stimuli; 2) how an epigenetic switch regulates
developmental phase transition; and 3) how epigenetic modification safeguards the genome integrity.
We use the flowering plant Arabidopsis, proved to be a robust system for mechanistic epigenetic
studies, as our model system. Arabidopsis shares with mammals the common core cytosine DNA
methylation machinery that is lacking in other model organisms (e.g. Saccharomyces cerevisiae,
Caenorhabditis elegans, and Drosophila melanogaster). Importantly, Arabidopsis tolerates null
mutations in most epigenetic regulators that are often lethal in animals, providing a significant
advantage to investigate in-depth mechanisms under developmental and physiological conditions. As
we probe basic principles governing epigenetic regulation that are conserved across eukaryotic
organisms, knowledge acquired from our pioneering studies in Arabidopsis will help accelerate
progress in deciphering the relevant mechanisms in human. In-depth mechanistic knowledge is
crucial for understanding how epigenetic modification contributes to developmental defects and
disease. Such knowledge will provide the necessary insight to develop new medicines that target the
respective epigenetic processes.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9978863
- **Project number:** 5R35GM124806-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON
- **Principal Investigator:** XUEHUA ZHONG
- **Activity code:** R35 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $376,140
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-08-01 → 2022-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9978863

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9978863, Uncovering the epigenetic codes for genome integrity, developmental and environmental interaction. (5R35GM124806-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9978863. Licensed CC0.

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