Aisling Phelan

This research explores how organisms inherit “memories” of environmental stress without changes to their DNA sequence, using whole-genome-duplication (WGD) in C. elegans as a model. We show how WGD amplifies heat-stress responses and how these responses are transmitted across generations. By revealing how epigenetic inheritance supports short-term adaptation, our work highlights new ways species may cope with rising global temperatures. These findings align with Ireland’s Climate Action Plan 2025 (R&I) and National Adaptation Framework 2024, contributing to policies under the UNFCCC, Convention on Biological Diversity, and SDG 15 by building a scientific evidence base for resilience and ecosystem stability.