The Birth of Epigenetics: the Agouti Mouse Study

In 2003, Professors Randy Jirtle and Rob Waterland conducted a groundbreaking study at Duke University on agouti mice, revealing that identical genotypes can result in different phenotypes due to gene expression changes. The study showed that a transposon near the agouti gene caused obesity and yellow fur in mice. By altering the diet of pregnant mice, the researchers demonstrated that environmental factors could change gene expression, leading to healthier offspring. This study was pivotal in the field of epigenetics, challenging long-held beliefs about inheritance and disease susceptibility.

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