Genetic and epigenomic variation can influence heritable traits, especially when occurring at cis-regulatory elements (CREs) that represent regions harboring DNA-binding motifs. The goal of this 3-day workshop is to learn about unmethylated region sequencing (UMR-seq), developed by Dr Peter Crisp, which enables cost-effective identification of CREs while simultaneously providing a readout of genetic and epigenomic variation (i.e. DNA methylation) at these regions. A key feature is that this protocol reduces large, complex genomes into the regions that are most likely to be functional, thereby increasing scalability for population-level analyses and ecological studies (Crisp et al., 2020 PNAS:10.1073/pnas.2010250117; Liu & Slotkin, 2020 PNAS:10.1073/pnas.2017729117)

This workshop will consist of a one-day theory session and a two-day workshop. Workshop attendees will be provided with genomic DNA samples from plant leaf tissue or can bring their own samples (we will provide guidelines and storage to registered participants). If there is sufficient interest, we will organize a MiSeq sequencing run at the Biomolecular Resource Facility to generate nominal data for proof-of-concept (N.B. this level of data would only facilitate teaching and/or quality-control of the generated libraries, but would be insufficient for publication).

To commence the workshop, Dr Crisp will present a seminar describing his group’s research on crop epigenomics that will be open to everyone.

Workshop Aims

1. Learn about enhancers (or cis-regulatory elements), DNA methylation, and UMR-seq.
2. Learn how to create UMR-seq libraries.

Target audience

Early-career researchers, including higher degree research students, interested in epigenomics and gene regulation, especially at population scales and ecological contexts.

Draft schedule

About the presenter

Dr Peter Crisp is an expert in crop genomics, epigenomics, and molecular genetics. He is a Group Leader at the School of Agriculture and Food Sustainability at The University of Queensland. Peter's research program focuses on crop functional genomics, epigenetics, and biotechnology, and has significantly advanced our understanding of the contribution of epigenetics to heritable phenotypic variation in plants. His group has invented groundbreaking technologies for harnessing (epi)genetic variation, and their discoveries have led to exciting new avenues for decoding genomes.