Training school “Plant epigenetics, heritability, adaptation, evolution: latest advances digested for beginners”
A theoretical & practical training school
12-14th of September 2022 Charles University, Prague (Czech Republic)
COST Epicatch WG1
When epigenetics gained interest in the scientific community a few decades ago, one major point of discussion was to which extent epigenetic marks can contribute (or not) to the evolution of organisms. While many questions in this matter remain largely open, advances in (epi)genomics and large-scale approaches allow us to draw a preliminary picture of the role of epigenetics in natural phenotypic variation, the transmission of such variation across (a)sexual generations and adaptation. This question is of particular interest for plant biology, as plants are sessile organisms and therefore likely rely on molecular mechanisms to cope with environmental changes more than animals do. Also, plants show a large diversity of reproductive strategies, including sexual and asexual modes, and these strategies are likely to affect to which extent epigenetic marks can be transmitted and spread in a given population. The aim of the workshop is to 1/ help the attendants acquire knowledge on the last advances about plant epigenetics & evolution and 2/ allow attendants to design experiments and try out bioinformatic methods to study the role of epigenetic marks in evolution. The theoretical lectures will largely rely on active learning (group work, discussion) and the practical class will be hands-on.
Learning outcomes:
At the end of the training, the participant will know how to:
- Design an ecological epigenetics experiment
- Critically interpret such an experiment
- Run associated analyses
| Preliminary program |
| First day: lectures Reminders on plant epigenetics Epimutations and natural variation: spontaneous vs induced epimutations, phenotypic consequences (or absence thereof) Transmission of epimutations: conceptual challenges, asexual vs sexual reproduction Epimutations and adaptation: myth or reality? |
| Second day: Design of experiment and hands-on Design your own ecological epigenetics experiment Hands-on 1: tracking heritable epimutations and potential role in adaptation (bioinformatic analysis of methylome) |
| Third day: lectures & hands on Hands-on 2: continuation of the day before Interpretations, critical discussion, presentation of results by the participants |
Target audience: people with at least some basic background in (plant) epigenetics, willing to develop their knowledge about the role of epigenetics in plant evolution, and willing to try out current bioinformatic methods for potential implementation in their own research. Any level welcome: Master, PhD students, postdocs, PIs. Prior knowledge of genomics and bioinformatics tools is preferred, but not mandatory. The practicals will not involve coding but will use instead Galaxy, which is user friendly.
Practical details
Logistics
3-days training school: 12-14th of September 2022
Presential workshop, possible hybrid mode
Venue: Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
Training fee and travel grants The training school is free. To cover your travel costs, and if you live in an ITC country, you can apply for an ITC grant: https://www.epicatch.eu/news-1/
In addition, we have a restricted amount of full cover travel grants. To apply for this grant, send an email explaining your situation, together with a CV and motivation letter to lafonplc@natur.cuni.cz.
The criteria of selection for this grant are: 1/ a basic level in epigenetics (justifiable by a course during the course, training school epicatch or other); 2/ a real need for the thesis/research project (the candidate plan to do what we will teach in their project and they/their lab do not have the expertise in this area); order of priority doctoral student > Master student > postdoc > PI.
To register for the training school: Send a CV and motivation letter to lafonplc@natur.cuni.cz Deadline: 20th Of June
For more information please contact:
Prof. Stephane Maury (stephane.maury@univ-orleans.fr)
Dr Clément Lafon-Placette (lafonplc@natur.cuni.cz)
Iris Sammarco (sammarci@natur.cuni.cz)
