Epigenetic complexes in pathogen immunity (EpiC-PI)

We investigate how epigenetic complexes and chromatin states influence and control gene expression in plants. Plants, as sessile organisms, are more likely than mobile organisms to be repeatedly exposed to similar environmental perturbations throughout their lives. The generation of stable changes in gene expression as a result of epigenetic marks (DNA methylation and histone modifications) is a quick and relatively long-lasting method of establishing a genomic memory of past stress events. Genes can be made more or less accessible to transcriptional machinery and thus regulated by opening or tightening the chromatin. Understanding chromatin's dynamic regulation during stress may lead to the development of new and exciting biotechnological tools for engineering environmentally resilient plants.