12/10: Epigenetics and gene regulation in Social Insects12/10 - Epigenetics and gene regulation in social insects
ORGANIZERS: Tali Reiner Brodetzki a, Uli Ernst b, Romain Libbrecht c, Laurent Keller d a Rutgers University, US b University of Hoheinheim, Germany, c University of Mainz, Germany, c University of Lausanne, Switzerland
CONTACT: talireiner@gmail.com SUMMARY: Developmental plasticity is central to the functioning of insect societies to allow the production of individuals with distinct phenotypes and behavior. This plasticity results in division of labor, and is mediated by diverging patterns of gene expression. Epigenetic signals (including DNA methylation, histone modifications, or noncoding RNAs) and transcription factors (TFs) regulate gene expression. In the past decade, multiple studies have proposed that epigenetic processes regulate various aspects of the social organization of insect colonies, including developmental and behavioral plasticity, but also learning, aging, foraging, brood care, etc. However, other studies failed to detect such effects, in particular the link between DNA methylation and caste, leading to an ongoing debate on the actual significance of epigenetic processes in insect societies. This symposium aims at bringing together researchers with different views on the matter, and stiring up a fair scientific debate by confronting studies of the epigenetic regulation of social life in insects. To promote intellectual diversity, we especially welcome contributions from researchers that investigate epigenetic processes that remain understudied, study the epigenetic regulation of plasticity in all types of insects, or integrate their findings in the framework of parental effects and genomic imprinting. This symposium will also provide a platform for scholars of social insects to discover latest trends and developments in technology, experimental design, data analysis and statistics around the topic of epigenetics.
ZOOM LINK: https://uni-hohenheim.zoom.us/j/87265278884?pwd=MVBGTEQ1MXJoRXZPVXdzbjAxTzNidz09
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