Fluctuation analysis of embryonic stem cells

Cellular heterogeneity, the presence of diverse transcriptional states within a genetically identical population, is a hallmark of embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Emerging evidence suggests that some transcriptional states may be heritable across cell divisions, reflecting a form of non-genetic memory. Our goal is to identify transcriptional and chromatin states in mouse ESCs that exhibit heritable fluctuations, and to uncover mechanisms that sustain such memory.

细胞异质性（cellular heterogeneity）指遗传背景一致的细胞群体中存在多种转录状态，是胚胎干细胞（embryonic stem cells, ESCs）的标志性特征。越来越多的研究证据显示，部分转录状态可在细胞分裂世代间稳定遗传，这代表了一种非遗传记忆形式。本研究旨在鉴定小鼠胚胎干细胞中具备可遗传波动特性的转录与染色质状态，并揭示维持这类非遗传记忆的分子机制。