Epigenetics

Epigenetics is a multidisciplinary journal that publishes articles covering the latest findings about epigenetic mechanisms and their role in diverse biological processes. The 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, epigenetic pharmacology, neurobiology, who are unraveling the epigenetic facets of their specific fields of interest.