Epigenome Diversity Lab

Exploring how epigenome features shape plant adaptation

Welcome!

We are a young research team at the Institute of Integrative Biology at ETH Zürich, studying plant diversity and adaptation through the lens of epigenetics and epigenomics.

Our group projects will pursue research questions at the intersection of epigenetics, molecular biology and ecology, focusing on the alpine plant Arabis alpina as our model organism.

We are primarily interested in understanding how epigenetic and genetic features can contribute to high-altitude adaptation in natural populations of A. alpina.

What is the epigenome and why is it important for plant adaptation?

While the genome of an organism refers to its complete DNA sequence, the epigenome encompasses chemical and structural modifications to DNA and chromatin that do not alter the underlying sequence.

Historically, "epigenetic" features referred to heritable modifications like cytosine DNA methylation that regulate genes and transposable elements. The field has since broadened, and the "epigenome" now describes all DNA-associated physical and functional changes—including DNA methylation, histone post-translational modifications, histone variants, nucleosome positioning, chromatin accessibility, and 3D chromatin architecture—without necessarily implying inheritance.

Epigenomic features strongly influence gene expression, giving immobile plants regulatory flexibility to cope with changing environments. Widespread shifts in epigenomic marks occur when plants experience nutrient limitation or abiotic and biotic stresses, in both laboratory and natural settings. These features also govern major developmental transitions, including flowering onset, fertilization, and embryogenesis.

Studying epigenomic landscapes across and within plant species can therefore tell us how plants fine-tune gene regulation and adapt to their local habitats.

Arabis alpina, the plant species that will be used as our model system