Sex-specific Epigenetic Impact of Maternal Metabolic Environment on the Offspring Development

I was a Curie Epigenetics course student in 2005. My academic studies have focused on Molecular Biology and Developmental Biology: my PhD project under the direction of Dr Luisa Dandolo (Institut Cochin, Paris, France, 2004-2008) was to decipher the function of the H19 non-coding RNA. Using different mouse models (KO, transgenics), I observed that H19 is a trans regulator of the Imprinted Gene Network. I then joined the lab of Pr Claudine Junien to study the imprinted genes in the placenta in a mouse model of over-nutrition. I obtained a position as Researcher in the Unit of Biology of Reproduction, Environment, Epigenetics and Development at INRAE in 2011, and I am currently part of the research team "Epigenetic mechanisms, construction and prediction of phenotype (MECP2)" headed by Dr Hélène Jammes. I establish new mouse models to study the underlying mechanisms of DOHaD (developmental origins of health and disease). The aim is to understand how the cells can keep the memory of an early exposition to maternal overnutrition, which will program an increased susceptibility to late onset metabolic diseases. Epigenetics is a likely candidate mechanism. Sex differences is another striking aspect of this programming