Project description:We use ChIP-seq targeting histone 3 lysine 27-acetylation (H3K27ac) to identify putative enhancer sites genome-wide in the ventral pallidum cortex of adult prairie voles
Project description:We use ChIP-seq targeting histone 3 lysine 4 mono-methylation (H3K4me1) to identify putative enhancer sites genome-wide, in the retrosplenial cortex of adult prairie vole males. ChIP samples were generated by targeting a known enhancer mark (H3K4me1) in chromatin extracted from the retrosplenial cortex of 8 males. Illumina libraries were prepared from ChIP and INPUT DNA and sequenced on Illimuna HiSeq 2500 platform.
Project description:To investigate the genome-wide DNA binding of chicken p53, we overexpressed chicken p53 with a flag in LMH cells. We then performed genome-wide DNA binding analysis using data obtained from ChIP-seq of LMH cells.
Project description:The reduction and simplification of grasslands has led to the decline of numerous species of grassland fauna, particularly grassland-obligate birds. Prairie-chickens (Tympanuchus spp.) are an example of obligate grassland birds that have declined throughout most of their distribution and are species of conservation concern. Pyric herbivory has been suggested as a land management strategy for enhancing prairie-chicken habitat and stabilizing declining population trends. We assessed differences in vegetation structure created by pyric herbivory compared to fire-only treatments to determine whether pyric herbivory increased habitat heterogeneity for prairie-chickens, spatially or temporally. Our study was performed at four sites in the southern Great Plains, all within the current or historic distribution of either lesser (T. pallidicinctus), greater (T. cupido), or Attwater's (T. cupido attwateri) prairie-chickens. Key vegetation characteristics of grass cover and vegetation height in pyric herbivory and fire-only treatments were within the recommended range of values for prairie-chickens during their distinct life history stages. However, patches managed via pyric herbivory provided approximately 5% more forb cover than fire-only treatments for almost 30 months post-fire. Additionally, pyric herbivory extended the length of time bare ground was present after fires. Pyric herbivory also reduced vegetation height and biomass, with mean vegetation height in pyric herbivory treatments lagging behind fire-only treatments by approximately 15 months. Canopy cover in fire-only treatments exceeded levels recommended for prairie-chicken young within 12 months post-fire. However, canopy cover in pyric herbivory treatments never exceeded the maximum recommended levels. Overall, it appears that pyric herbivory improves vegetation characteristics reported as critical to prairie-chicken reproduction. Based on our results, we suggest pyric herbivory as a viable management technique to promote prairie-chicken habitat in the southern Great Plains, while still accommodating livestock production.
Project description:Dongxiang blue-shelled chicken, an indigenous chicken breed in China, has segregated significantly for the dermal hyperpigmentation phenotype. Two lines of the chicken have been divergently selected with respect to comb color for over 20 generations. The recent selection has also resulted in a significant difference in egg production. The red comb line (RCL) chicken produces significantly higher number of eggs than that by the dark comb line (DCL) chicken. The objective of this study was to explore potential mechanisms involved in the relationship between comb color and egg production among chickens. We performed genome-wide association study to identify candidate genes associated with chicken comb color using SNP array data, and we conducted selective sweep analysis to identify putative regions of selection harboring pleiotropic genes affecting both comb color and egg production.
