Establishing the epigenome in early mammalian development

Tuesday, 14 July 2026, 2pm to 3pm

ABSTRACT

Drastic transcription and epigenetic reprogramming occur during mammalian early embryogenesis. Deciphering the molecular events underlying these processes is crucial for understanding how life really begins. Probing these questions was previously hindered by the scarce experimental materials that are available from early embryos. By developing a set of ultra-sensitive chromatin analysis technologies, we investigated epigenetic reprogramming during early mouse development for chromatin accessibility, histone modifications, and 3D chromatin architecture. These studies unveiled highly dynamic and non-canonical chromatin regulation during the maternal-to-zygotic transition. Recently, we also identified a number of key transcription factors (TFs) that govern mammalian zygotic genome activation (ZGA) and the first cell fate commitment. However, how the embryonic transcription program is established with the non-canonical, immature chromatin states, and how the embryonic epigenomes are correctly restored still remain enigmatic. In this talk, I will present data on how the embryonic epigenomes are properly re-established and how the embryonic transcription program is executed during this dramatic transition in early mammalian development.

Speaker(s): Dr. Wei Xie (TsienTang Professor & Vice Dean, School of Life Science, Tsinghua University, China)

Series: Department Seminar

Venue: Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building - DCHB 20-138 Seminar Room 2 - DCHB 20-138 Seminar Room 2 Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building off South Parks Road Oxford Oxfordshire OX1 3QU United Kingdom

Department: Biochemistry (Department)

Organiser: Sarah-jane Scard

Host: Professor Rob Klose