About Epigenetics

Mission Statement

Our goal is to establish Epigenetics as the lead journal in the field by providing a forum where epigenetic approaches to a variety of medical and biological issues can be discussed and the common basic principles of epigenetics spanning different systems can be revealed and shared.

The field of epigenetics studies the changes in gene expression that are caused by mechanisms other than the modification of the DNA sequence. Epigenetics covers many different levels of biological control and relates to diverse biological systems, diseases and disciplines. Although in recent years cancer has been the main focus of epigenetic studies, recent data suggests that epigenetics also plays critical roles in psychology and psychopathology. It is being realized that normal behaviors, such as maternal care, and pathologies, such as Schizophrenia and Alzheimer disease, might have an epigenetic basis. It is also becoming clear that nutrition and life experiences have consequences that are mediated by epigenetic mechanisms. The increasing awareness of the potential role of epigenetic deregulation in disease has spawned the development of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches using epigenetics. Although the questions asked are diverse, the unifying hypothesis is that epigenetics is involved. The journal provides a platform for developing unifying methodologies, hypotheses, experimental approaches and diagnostic agents and serves as a meeting place for researchers working in different systems such as general biology, plant biology, cancer biology, cancer therapeutics, epigenetic pharmacology, neurobiology and psychiatry, who are unraveling the epigenetic facets of their specific fields of interest.

Upcoming Meetings of Interest

Genome Research Conference - Epigenetics

April 19-20, 2012
Boston, CA USA

Epigenetics in Development and Diseases

April 19-22, 2012
Shanghai, China

Gordon Research Conference: Chromatin Structure & Function

May 6-11, 2012
Luca (Barga), Italy

Australian Scientific Conference - Epigenetics 2012

May 7-9, 2012
Adelaide, Australia

Chromatin: from structure to epigenetics
June 26 - 27, 2012
Strasbourg, France

Regulation of Adult Neurogenesis - from Epigenetics to Behavior
July 12 - 13, 2012
Barcelona, Spain