Epigenetics

The word epigenetic literally means “on top of” changes in genetic sequence. It mostly involves modifications of gene activity and expression, either coming from external or environmental factors, or even part of normal development, without changing the nucleotide sequence. It is the structure of DNA and its associated proteins the ones undergoing modifications, such as DNA methylation, and histone modification, among others. We would also like to include recent research shedding light onto how epigenetic information is inherited, and the role of the epigenome in DNA damage and repair.

Potential topics include but are not limited to:

• Epigenetic processes: DNA methylation, histone modification, gene silencing, X chromosome inactivation, position effect.
• Gene regulation and gene expression.
• Transgenerational epigenetic inheritance.
• DNA damage and repair.

Collection advisors: Germano Cecere (Institut Pasteur, France), Jop Kind (Hubrecht Institute, The Netherlands)