Rigi Workshop 2024: Exploring Epigenetics

Epigenetics is a broadly used term for phenomena that alter gene expression without altering the DNA itself. It describes the regulation of our genes, how they can be influenced by our environment, and how this regulation can be inherited between cells and generations. This intersection between information coded in DNA sequence, transmitted by factors associated with DNA, and provided by the environment is fascinating from a mechanistic point of view. It also provides insights into how our genes interact with external influences, potentially offering new ways to prevent or treat diseases, improve crop yields, and understand complex behaviors and brain functions.

The Rigi workshop 2024 on epigenetics invites its participants to dive into the intricate mechanisms and implications of epigenetic phenomena. By fostering cross-disciplinary dialogue, the event aims to bridge gaps between different disciplines of epigenetic research. Participants will explore how epigenetics impacts plant breeding, behavioral traits, brain development, evolution, synaptic plasticity, cognition, and neurological disorders. The workshop will offer interdisciplinary approaches to investigating and analyzing societal and technological impacts of epigenetics and will feature lectures delivered by leading experts, group discussions, and sharing of group and individual work in the form of poster and oral presentations.

Speakers:

• Dr. Etienne Bucher, Agroscope, leader at the Crop genome dynamics research group, Changins.
  Talk: Do plants have a heritable epigenetic stress memory?
  Joint Workshop Etienne Bucher and Luis Lopez-Molina: Epigenetic memory and stress adaptation in plants.
• Dr. Med Semira Gonseth Nusslé, Physician at Unisanté and President and Chief Medical Officer in Genknowme S.A. in Lausanne.
  Talk: Lifestyle influences on DNA methylation through the lifecourse
  Workshop: From Lab to Market: A Case Study of Commercializing Epigenetic Testing
• Dr. Ivana Jaric, Animal Welfare Division, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern
  Talk: Epigenetic Dynamics: Bridging Hormones, Environment, and Phenotypic plasticity.
  Workshop: Regulatory role of hormonal and environmental fluctuations on brain and behavior through epigenetic mechanisms, and the significance of this understanding in designing preclinical research on rodents with translational relevance.
• Prof. Dr. Luis Lopez-Molina, department of plant sciences, University of Geneva
  Talk: Epigenetic aspects for the parental and environmental control of seed dormancy in Arabidopsis thaliana.
• Prof. Dr. Isabelle Mansuy, Laboratory of Neuroepigenetics, University of Zürich and ETHZ
  Talk and workshop theme: Heredity beyond the genetic code: How traits can be modified across generations by life experiences.
• Prof. Dr. Florian Steiner, Departement of molecular and Cell Biology, University of Geneva.
  Talk: Epigenetics inheritance: From anecdotal observations to molecular mechanisms.
  Joint Workshop with Prof. Dr. Irene Adrian-Klachhauser: Different understanding of the term « epigenetics » and how it impacts research.

Programme:

The Rigi workshop starts at 13:00 on Sunday 28 and ends at 16:00 on Tuesday 30th January. The invited speakers will deliver lectures and will offer workshops to discuss specific themes. A preliminary programme is presented in the pictures hereafter.

Contribution from the participants:

The participants will be asked to present their research. The format is not defined yet. It is also expected that they all actively contribute to the discussions and workshops. Some literature will be send before the workshop as preparatory work.

Registration:

The Rigi Workshop is aimed at PhD students and Post-docs from Swiss institutions.

Please apply latest until 30 September 2023 with a short letter of motivation and an abstract of your current research. The number of participants is limited to 30, the organising committee will thus select the participants based on the provided information in October. Register here.

Organisers:

• Prof. Dr. Irene Adrian-Kalchhauser, SCNAT Platform Biology and University of Bern
• PD Dr. Paolo Cinelli, Swiss Laboratory Animal Science Association (SGV) and University of Zürich
• Prof. Dr. Florian Steiner, SCNAT Platform Biology and University of Geneva
• Caroline Reymond, SCNAT Platform Biology

Travel Grants:

Members or members-to-come of the Swiss Laboratory Animal Science Association can apply for travel grants to cover the costs of the workshop. Information on their webpage.