EpiTraits (BO-26.03-010-001)

Epigenetics plays an important role in gene regulation for bot qualitative and quantitative plant traits. Despite its importance, we know only little about the stability and inheritance of epigenetic modifications of chromosomes and how they are affected by environmental conditions. Traits are determined by genetic and epigenitic factors, but we do not know the contribution of these epigenetic factors. This project focusses on flowering time and we aim to gain more insights into the regulation of this process. This knowledge can be used by breeders and plant growers. We will develop tools to monitor the epigenetic modifications and determine how they are influenced by environmental signals that play a role during the flowering process.