# CAREER: How transgenerational chromatin landscapes shape C. elegans cell fate

> **NSF 01002627DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT** · University of Massachusetts Lowell (MA) · $1,100,000

## Abstract

The experiences of our ancestors can affect our own biology. Studies in animals and humans have shown that stress or environmental exposure can be epigenetically encoded in genomes and inherited for multiple generations. But it is still not clear how epigenetic inheritance occurs, nor what it might mean for descendants. In cells, genomes are packaged into chromatin, where DNA is wrapped around histone proteins. Modifications are added or removed from histones, controlling how the genome is used for gene expression. The inheritance of chromatin from parent to child is tightly regulated and involves the erasure of most – but crucially, not all – modifications from parental genomes. Because this process is completely essential for development, most animals do not survive errors, making it hard to study. This project harnesses the power of the genetic model C. elegans to ask: How do heritable chromatin landscapes regulate gene expression? What information must be erased, and what must be retained? Data will be generated in a traditional research lab and in course-based undergraduate research experiences that are specifically designed to support first-generation college students. Embedding research into required courses for the biology major resolves challenges that would normally limit participation in undergraduate research, and therefor broadens access to STEM careers (including those in biotechnology or computational biology). Because regulating epigenetic inheritance is so important for survival, it is highly conserved among all eukaryotes. Therefore, discoveries made in C. elegans will identify fundamental aspects of how epigenetic inheritance affects cell fate, and have broader impacts on biotechnology applications like tissue engineering or gene therapy.

In this model for transgenerational epigenetic inheritance, C. elegans mutants gradually accumulate repressive chromatin over many generations. A mutation in either WDR-5 (which belongs to the MLL/COMPASS H3K4

## Key facts

- **NSF award ID:** 2538853
- **Awardee organization:** University of Massachusetts Lowell (MA)
- **SAM.gov UEI:** LTNVSTJ3R6D5
- **PI:** Teresa W Lee
- **Primary program:** 01002627DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
- **All programs:** Artificial Intelligence (AI), CAREER-Faculty Erly Career Dev, NANOSCALE BIO CORE, Biotechnology
- **Estimated total:** $1,100,000
- **Funds obligated:** $880,000
- **Transaction type:** Continuing Grant
- **Period:** 06/01/2026 → 05/31/2031

## Primary source

NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2538853

## Citation

> US National Science Foundation, Award 2538853, CAREER: How transgenerational chromatin landscapes shape C. elegans cell fate. Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nsf/2538853. Licensed CC0.

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