Inheritance. more than just genes

Traits and behaviour are not just inherited in genes or a result of the environment but also passed on via 'epigenetic' factors.

Epigenetic factors particularly affect plant development and are passed on between cells when they divide during plant growth, and may even be passed from parents to their offspring.

CSIRO Plant Industry is at the leading edge of unravelling these epigenetic factors and howthey influence plant traits.

One example of an epigenetic factor is how the packing of DNA in the cell nucleus affects gene expression.

For example a piece of paper with writing on it can be folded to form different origami shapes - it doesn't matter how you fold the paper, the information written on it remains the same.

DNA can also be packed to form different structures - the genes, which are made of DNA, still remain the same. The resulting structure, however, can influence gene behaviour.

One area CSIRO Plant Industry researchers in Canberra are looking at is the epigenetic factors involved in flowering.

Researching basic biological processes like flowering, and all the factors that are involved in them, is improving our understanding and may eventually lead to discoveries that could improve crop health and productivity.

Epigenetics also has an important role in silencing genes and in disease and developmental disorders in both plants and animals.

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