Genomics Commons^™

Epigenetics A Decolonizing Science, Wade Paul

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Epigenetics is the study of gene expression that does not entail alterations to the actual DNA. Decolonization is a theoretical and political movement that seeks to deconstruct colonial institutions and ideologies and reconstruct new and balanced approaches that accept and respect Indigenous worldviews. This project studies the decolonizing potential of epigenetics. Using genealogy as the method, the study establishes a long history of reductionist and deterministic thought that shaped the study of genetic science. Particular instances like thrift gene theory are explored to highlight how genetic explanations have been detrimental to the health and wellbeing of Indigenous people and illustrate …

Chromatin Accessibility Dynamics In The Arabidopsis Root Epidermis And Endodermis During Cold Acclimation, Shawn Hoogstra

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Understanding cell-type specific transcriptional responses to environmental conditions is limited by a lack of knowledge of transcriptional control due to epigenetic dynamics. Additionally, cell-type analyses are limited by difficulties in applying current technologies to single cell-types. A novel DNase-seq protocol and analysis procedure, deemed DNase-DTS, was developed to identify DHSs in the Arabidopsis epidermis and endodermis under control and cold acclimation conditions. Results identified thousands of DHSs within each cell-type and experimental condition. DHSs showed strong association to gene expression, DNA methylation, and histone modifications. A priori mapping of existing DNA binding motifs within accessible genes and the cold C-repeat/dehydration …

Hippocampal Epigenetic Changes In A Mouse Model Of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, Eric J. Chater-Diehl

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) refers to the neurological, developmental, and behavioural abnormalities arising from in utero ethanol exposure. These abnormities included attention deficit, anxiety, and learning and memory impairment persisting into adulthood. The molecular mechanisms of such persistent behavioural changes remain unknown and are an area of intense research. In this thesis, mice were exposed to ethanol during the third trimester equivalent, the peak of synaptic development. Following this exposure, genome-wide epigenetic and gene expression and changes in the hippocampus were assessed in adult (70 day old) mice.

In the first experiment, genome-wide trimethylation of histone H3 at histone …