Neuroepigenetics (B5)

Following the completion of the Human Genome Project, much of biology’s focus has been shifted from the raw sequence of genes to their regulation over time and in response to environmental stimuli, in which epigenetics represents a core mechanism. To date, an increasing body of evidence has surfaced indicating that several neurodevelopmental, neurodegenerative, and psychiatric disorders are, in part, caused by aberrant epigenetic modifications. While tremendous progress has been made in understanding epigenetic regulation of gene expression in the nervous system, we have yet to learn how neural epigenome responds to positive (such as learning experiences, enriched environment, encouragement, affection) and negative (such as defeat, trauma, deprivation) signals as a whole and at the individual gene level, and how the epigenome is regulated at the molecular level. This knowledge is important for us to further understand normal brain development, plasticity and function and how the epigenome becomes malfunctioned in diseases. Different from proliferating cells commonly studies in epigenetics, one major subject of the emerging new field of neuroepigenetics deals with various post-mitotic neurons. This conference aims to will bring together experts and pioneers in studying neuroepigenetics to provide an up-to-date and comprehensive picture of epigenetic mechanisms in neural development, reprogramming and cell identity, plasticity, neuronal function and dysfunction.