Chronic inflammation can occur as a result of a combination of genetic predispositions and environmental factors. Epigenetic modifications include DNA methylation and histone modifications and can be influenced by environmental exposure. Epigenetic changes are critical mediators of the functional changes that drive and maintain the inflammatory phenotype. Therefore, if we are to understand why the immune system is dysfunctional in chronic inflammatory conditions, we need to better understand the broad epigenetic pathways that regulate inflammation.

 

In this webinar, Dr. Adam Cribbs from the Botnar Research Centre will describe the identification of three major epigenetic pathways (Histone deacetylases, Jumonji histone demethylases and BET bromodomains) that regulate inflammatory T cell and NK cell function in chronic inflammatory disease. Specifically, he will detail the work that led to the discovery of novel links between the role of Jumonji histone demethylases and the metabolism in Th17 cells. He will also share published and unpublished results showing how single-cell transcriptomics has been applied to better understand how these epigenetic pathways can be perturbed in order to identify therapeutic targets for chronic inflammatory disease and cancer.

 

To conclude, Dr. Cribbs will present the challenges associated with applying single-cell technologies to understand the complex regulation of epigenetic pathways in inflammatory cells. Finally, he will share how these technologies can be applied to improve understanding of biological processes involved in immunity, facilitate drug development, and reduce health disparities.

 

During this event Dr. Pawel Zajac from Illumina will also briefly introduce the latest sequencing news and Dr. Thomas Ayers from Dolomite Bio will present customizable single-cell workflows for varying cell types, sizes and applications enabled by the Dolomite Bio platforms.

 

Join us to find out how single-cell sequencing can advance your research!

 

Learning Objectives