The phenotypic effects of imprinted genes are of interest, in particular in fetal growth and muscle development, as well as in disease situations. Other work addresses the role and regulation of Hox genes in embryonic patterning.
Work is aimed at identifying elements that are important for regional control of imprinted genes.
Other projects investigate epigenetic reprogramming of the genome in the early embryo, and its possible significance for cloning. The new genes identified are being investigated as candidates for endocrine and behavioural disorders, as well as a gene for an imprinted form of inherited childhood diabetes, using functional genomics approaches. New imprinted gene clusters are providing insights into what controls imprinting, and we are particularly interested in what sets up the DNA methylation differences of imprinted sequences in the germ cells. The IGFs are unusual in that they can stimulate both proliferation and differentiation in the same cell type. Current experiments focus on the possible role of caudal genes as upstream regulators of Hox clusters.