Research

Parent-Specific Gene Expression and Regulation in the Developing Bovine Placenta

Embryo and conceptus development, implantation, and placentation in ruminants involves the interplay between maternal and paternal genomes, however very little is known about parental biases in gene expression and regulation during placentation. This ongoing project examines gene expression and regulation in the bovine placenta at days 40-50 of gestation (during development of the cotyledon) to determine which genes are expressed and which genes (if any) have a parental expression bias. Further, this project will investigate parental biases in gene regulatory elements including DNA methylation and open chromatin regions.

Differential Gene Regulation and Expression in Placental and Endometrial Tissues of Cattle

Healthy placental development in ruminants involves both maternal tissue and fetal tissues. This ongoing project aims to compare gene regulation and expression in maternal (caruncular endometrium) and fetal (cotyledonary placenta) tissues during days 40-50 of gestation, which corresponds to the early development of the cotyledon and interdigitation with the caruncle to form the placentome.

Comparative Placentation

Pregnancy loss is a major issue in several mammalian species, including livestock and humans. This ongoing project compares single-cell RNA sequencing from cattle, sheep, rat, and human placental tissue to investigate similarities and differences in cell populations and gene expression dynamics during various gestational time points across species. The objective of this project is to identify conserved cell types that may contribute to pregnancy loss across mammalian species.

Genetic Associations with Food Motivation in Dogs

Retriever breeds, including Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Flat-Coated Retrievers, and Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are well known for their food motivation and appetite. Previous research in the United Kingdom identified a deletion in the POMC gene associated with food motivation and appetite. This ongoing project will examine if the POMC deletion and its association with food motivation persists in North American retriever breeds using Oxford Nanopore MinION sequencing.