 Epigenetics refers to factors affecting the development or function of an organism without directly affecting the primary sequence of the target genes, such as an environmental effect.
Our genome is modified at DNA and chromosome levels via DNA methylation and histone modification (acetylation, phosphorylation, methylation, and ubiquitination), and such epigenetic modifications have been shown to play a critical role in regulation of gene expression, chromosome stability, genomic imprinting, and X chromosome inactivation. Reprogramming of epigenetic modification is essential for the development of normal and cloned animals and may contribute to the generation of pluripotent embryonic stem cells. Growing evidence indicates that epigenetic alterations are intimately associated with aging and various diseases such as cancer, autoimmune, and psychiatric disorders. However, the underlying mechanisms for diseases are poorly understood.
We believe that epigenetics represents a new frontier of medicine and intensive research in this field will provide innovative therapeutic targets for drug discovery. The Epigenetics Research Program at the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research is being focused on the following areas:
- Chromatin and transcription regulation
- Stem cells biology
- Immune modulation
- Epigenetic mechanisms for cancer and other diseases
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