Beyond Birth and Upbringing: Can Stochastic Noise Reshape the Epigenetic Landscape?
Dr. Risa Kawaguchi
Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Science, The University of Tokyo.
[Abstract]
Genetic background is known to be a major determinant of phenotypic diversity, or individuality. However, even genetically identical individuals, such as monozygotic twins, can display strikingly different phenotypes. Such differences may arise from rare somatic mutations, environmental fluctuations, or stochastic effects during early development. Identifying the sources of such variability is crucial for understanding the mechanisms of non-genetic diseases and the incomplete penetrance of genetic disorders. Yet, studies using conventional model organisms or human cohorts face significant challenges in disentangling confounding factors such as environmental influences. To address this issue, we focused on the nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus), which uniquely gives birth to genetically identical quadruplets. Through longitudinal multi-omics analyses of armadillo quadruplets raised under the same environment, we uncovered epigenetic patterns that distinguish individual identities even under strict genetic and environmental control. Furthermore, statistical modeling and machine learning approaches revealed that these epigenetic variations can influence phenotypic differences. Finally, I will introduce our ongoing project on fluctuations within pluripotent stem cell populations and how such stochasticity shapes probabilistic cell fate decisions.
Date： September 25, 2025 (Thu.) 14:00 – 15:30
Place： Zoom and Room 412, Faculty of Science Building 3, University of Tokyo
Host： Shinya Kuroda
If you would like to attend, please email us at info.kuroda-lab [at] bs.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp and we will send you the Zoom URL. Please use your institution’s e-mail address and let us know your name and affiliation.