Epigenetic mechanisms of cellular plasticity

Date

Sep 24, 2026

Time

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Speaker

Maria Elena Torres-Padilla

Affiliation

Helmholtz Zentrum München, Germany

Series

MPI-CBG Thursday Seminar

Language

en

Main Topic

Biologie

Host

Merixtell Huch

Description

Research in our lab focuses on understanding how cells in the early embryo integrate genetic and epigenetic information to initiate and orchestrate a new developmental programme. After fertilisation of the oocyte by the sperm, the resulting zygote acquires the unique capacity to form a complete new organism. This is a universal principle across species and is fundamental for the preservation of species and for multicellularity. At these early developmental stages, genetic, epigenetic and mechanical mechanisms are in place. Yet, how these regulatory layers are integrated at the molecular level remains still a poorly understood, yet exciting area of research. I will present our work investigating how the pervasive presence of transposable elements in mammalian genomes, chromatin function, and genome nuclear organisation are integrated with nuclear mechanics to shape and regulate early developmental programmes. I will also illustrate how we leverage these findings to restore cellular plasticity for reprogramming cell fates.

Last modified: Aug 24, 2026, 7:35:31 AM