NWO Open competition Domain Science-M for Koen Verhoeven (NIOO-KNAW) and Jason Gardiner (UU)

Congratulations to Koen Verhoeven and Jason Gardiner for receiving the NWO Open Competition M grant.

M-grants are intended for realising non-programmed, curiosity-driven scientific research with impact.

How important is epigenetics for heritable traits in plants?
Dr Koen Verhoeven & Dr Jason Gardiner (NIOO-KNAW/UU)

In plants, trait differences can arise from genetic differences, as well as from epigenetic differences, because some epigenetic mechanisms are highly stable across plant generations. However, the importance of this epigenetic contribution is unknown. This project will identify epigenetic differences between genetically uniform individuals from a single, asexual dandelion lineage and use epigenomic editing to test whether these epigenetic differences cause heritable gene expression and trait differences. This first application of epigenomic editing in wild or asexual plants will test the epigenetic potential for natural plant adaptation and crop improvement. [source]