Pioneering alpine epigenomics to discover adaptive genetic elements

The genetic code of native plants are yet to be explored for DNA elements that promote resilience to climatechange. These elements are now ripe for discovery due to recent advances in epigenomics allowing for rapididentification. This proposal aims to discover heat-associated elements in waxy bluebells, which inhabit Australiasvulnerable high country. Expected outcomes include new insights on gene regulatory mechanisms in nativeplants; the generation of resources for genetic conservation, and catalysing further molecular research intoAustralian flora. This should provide significant benefits by revealing genome regulation in native plants, therebyimproving the ability to predict the impacts of climate change.