About this Research Topic
The rapidly emerging field of gene editing, and its application to epigenetics, has advanced progress in targeted epigenetic modifications and the modulation of gene expression. This targeted modulation of the epigenome is a powerful tool for researchers in advancing our knowledge of neurological function and disorders.
Epigenetic modifications can be highly dynamic in response to specific brain activity states and experiences such as aging or external stimuli. Various modes of gene regulation interact to coordinate the complex processes of neurological function. Epigenetic regulation, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, non-coding RNAs, and the epitranscriptome, have an emerging role in understanding this process. Epigenetic editing utilizes modified site-specific gene editing techniques coupled with the activity of epigenetic writers and/or erasers. These processes include altering histone markers of gene promoters, enhancers, or specific isoforms.
Multi-omics detection, such as DNA, RNA, methylation, ChIP, and ATAC sequencing, Hi-C, and mass spectrometry, has been used to detect the outcomes of changes in epigenetic regulation by CRISPR, RNAi, ZFN, TALEN, etc. In the field of gene modulation, site-specific epigenetic editing brings a new era of research from understanding the fundamental biological mechanisms to the development of next generation therapies.
For this Research Topic, we welcome the contributions of original research and review articles. Potential topics include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Targeted editing of specific epigenetic modifications.
• Genome-wide modification, including CRISPR screens, multi-targets modifications (such as DNMTs)
• Multi-omics detection: DNA, RNA, methylation, ChIP, ATAC sequencing, Hi-C, and mass spectrometry
• Imaging detection: Microscopy, RNA FISH, smFISH, MERFISH, and in situ detection
• Samples/tissue: cell lines, population studies, brain or other related organs, and human models such as iPSC and cerebral organoids systems relevant to neurological diseases
• Fundamental mechanism research and clinical trails
• Original research and review articles, including discussions of epigenetic gene editing pitfalls and limitations, and future directions of epigenetic gene editing
Keywords: Epigenetics, CRISPR, Gene Editing, Neurological disorders, Multi-Omics
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.