Exploring Sulphite Stress as a Driver of Epigenetic Inheritance & Evolution

• Applicant: Dr. Kevin Oliphant
• Subject Area: General Genetics and Functional Genome Biology ; Biochemistry
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 564184530

This proposal investigates the role of stress-induced epigenetic modifications in evolutionary adaptation, using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model organism. By focusing on sulphite stress - a natural and clinically relevant metabolic disrupto - the project explores how such environmental stressors influence the rate, spectrum, and heritability of epimutations. Utilizing advanced molecular techniques such as CUT&Tag, small RNA sequencing, and whole-genome sequencing, this study aims to unravel the mechanisms underlying stress-induced chromatin modifications and small RNA pathways. The project examines whether these changes persist across generations, contributing to phenotypic diversity and adaptation. Building on established strains with targeted metabolic impairments, the research integrates multi-generational stress exposure with comprehensive molecular profiling to distinguish transient stress responses from stable, heritable epigenetic changes. By correlating these findings with evolutionary adaptation experiments under escalating sulphite concentrations, the study seeks to bridge the gap between environmental stress, epigenetic inheritance, and evolution. Ultimately, this research will provide insights into the interplay between genetic and epigenetic mechanisms, advancing our understanding of inheritance and adaptation. The findings will have broader implications for evolutionary biology, environmental science, and human health, shedding light on how organisms respond to and evolve under environmental challenges.

• DFG Programme: WBP Fellowship
• International Connection: United Kingdom
• Host: Professor Dr. Peter Sarkies