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Alternative Modes of
Development: Plasticity and Epigenesis
Head: Professor
Pat Bateson
Cambridge-Leverhulme Initiative in Post-Genomics Research
My research is one component of the Cambridge-Leverhulme
Initiative in Post-Genomics Research, a collaborative research
initiative between the Leverhulme Centre for Human Evolutionary
Study and the Department of Zoology in Cambridge.
Understanding the ways in which information, embedded in the
genome, interacts with internal and external forces to become
the characteristics of the whole individual is a key priority
for post-genomics research. This research focuses on the interaction
of these genetic instructions within the genome and the cellular
environment, within the ecological and cultural contexts of
the growing individual, and within the historical and demographic
background of the populations to whom the individuals belong.
It proposes to bring together anthropological and zoological
research that directly addresses the evolutionary biology
of human development under a single post-genomics programme,
and thus foster this integrative phase of the biological sciences.
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Background
and Current Research
Early experience has a profound effect
upon the developing organism. At one extreme, development
can be pathologically disrupted by exogenous environmental
stimuli (e.g. toxins, disease) leading to dysfunctional outcomes,
especially if these insults occur at critical periods such
as during embryogenesis. At the other extreme, through a process
known as developmental plasticity, alternative adult phenotypes
may be induced that are adapted to the early life environment
or the adult environment predicted by the early environment.
This is likely to have been particularly important during
mammalian evolution where the foetus is able to predict its
future postnatal environment and alter its development accordingly
based upon maternal cues transferred via the placenta. Such
adaptations are likely to be due to epigenetic changes occurring
during sensitive periods in development. Alternatively, such
early environmental challenges may be immediately compensated
for in the short-term but at some cost to the longer-term
fitness of the adult organism, a phenomenon known as 'coping'.
In such instances, the adult phenotypes may be adaptive, pathological
or neutral.
My research is focused upon developmental plasticity, i.e.
the development of alternative adult phenotypes that are adaptive
to the early prenatal and lactational maternal environment.
In particular, I am developing a mouse model to examine
the effects of variable maternal nutrition upon offspring
behavioural development. I hope that this research will not
only increase my knowledge and understanding of these evolutionary
processes, but also provide insights into animal welfare and
human disease.
Links
The
Leverhulme Trust
LCHES
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Selected
Publications
Gluckman PD, Hanson MA, Spencer
HG & Bateson P, (2005), Environmental influences during
development and their later consequences: implications for
the interpretation of empirical studies. Proc. Roy. Soc.
B. 272: 671-677.
Bateson P, (2005), Desirable scientific conduct. Science 307: 645.
Bateson P et al., 2004, Developmental plasticity and human
health, Nature 430: 419-421.
Curley JP et al., 2004, Coadaptation in mother and infant
regulated by a paternally expressed imprinted gene, Proc.
Roy. Soc. B. 271: 1303-1309.
Bateson P, 2003, The promise of behavioural biology. Animal
Behaviour 65: 11-17.
Bateson P, Fetal experience and good adult design, 2001, Int.
J. Epidemiol. 26: 561-570.
Bateson P & Martin P, 1999, Design for a Life: How
Behaviour Develops, (Cape, London).
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