Meeting Abstract

S1.1-1  Saturday, Jan. 4 08:00  Epigenetics and Organismal Biology BURGGREN, W. W.; University of North Texas burggren@unt.edu

Epigenetics as a focus for biological studies has increasing exponentially over the decades since the introduction of this concept by Conrad H. Waddington in 1942. Yet, the broad incorporation of epigenetic theory and practice into experimental paradigms for studies in organismal biology has been slow in developing. Indeed, a lack of recognition of the subtle yet powerful influences of epigenetics has doubtlessly contributed to the “intrinsic” variation that is recognized but unexplained in comparative biological data sets. Organismal biologists are increasingly familiar with epigenetic phenomena and their mechanisms, but may still not fully appreciate that delineating epigenetic effects is a complex process, often requiring elaborate experimental designs affected across multiple generations. Adding to the complexity of a sometimes confusing epigenetic landscape is the fact that, while the original definition of “epigenetics” incorporated non-genetic transgenerational transfer of phenotypic characters, biomedical research of late has co-opted this term to also refer to within-generational phenomena related to disease states (e.g. “the epigenetic origins of cancer”). The purpose of this symposium is to 1) use a broad array of examples (invertebrates, vertebrates, plants) to increase awareness and understanding of epigenetics and the epigenome among comparative physiologists, morphologists, developmental biologists and numerous other disciplinary practitioners whose experiments may be unknowingly influenced by epigenetic effects, 2) to discuss the latest research on the molecular mechanisms underlying epigenetic phenomena, and 3) review recent investigations of epigenetic phenomena and their implications to both organismal biology and health-related research.