Insights into Epigenomic Landscape: Understanding the Impact of Environmental Factors

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About this Research Topic

Submission deadlines

  1. Manuscript Summary Submission Deadline 8 June 2025 | Manuscript Submission Deadline 8 September 2025

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Background

Epigenetics and epigenomics represent two burgeoning fields at the forefront of modern biological inquiry. Epigenetics investigates heritable changes in gene expression that occur without any alteration in DNA sequence, while epigenomics encompasses the study of epigenetic modifications on whole genome level. This research topic aims to delve into the intricate interplay between environmental factors and epigenetic changes for understanding regulation of gene expression for adaptation/tolerance under diverse environmental conditions and their possible application in improving health/disease. Moreover, epigenome editing represents an innovative strategy at the genome level to enhance our understanding of the relationship between epigenetic modifications and gene expression. It could play a vital role in improving genetic efficiency, particularly for plant, enhancing stress tolerance, and achieving precise regulation for adaptation under diverse environments. By integrating multidisciplinary approaches and leveraging the latest technological advancements, this research topic endeavors to deepen our understanding of epigenomic and epigenetic regulation, paving the way for transformative insights into human health and disease. Exploring the complex interplay among epigenetic modifications is crucial for understanding how organisms respond to environmental cues and regulate gene expression. Intricate crosstalk among epigenetic mechanisms and epigenomic regulators remains a significant challenge in this field. Despite advancements in technology and research methodologies, there are still gaps in our knowledge regarding how different epigenetic modifications interact with each other and with various epigenomic regulators to orchestrate gene expression and chromatin dynamics. Researchers can leverage high-throughput sequencing technologies to generate comprehensive epigenomic datasets, combined with sophisticated bioinformatics tools to dissect the complex regulatory networks underlying epigenetic control. By unraveling the complexities of epigenetic and epigenomic regulation, the research topic would provide valuable insights into the molecular basis of plant and human biology/health and offer new avenues for improving resilience, environmental sustainability, and health.

Epigenetics and epigenomics are key fields in molecular biology that focus on the regulation of gene expression and chromatin dynamics without altering the underlying DNA sequence. In plants, these mechanisms play critical roles in orchestrating various biological processes, including development, growth, and responses to environmental stresses. Similarly, in humans, these mechanisms play critical roles in various biological processes, including development, disease susceptibility, and responses to environmental factors. Epigenomic regulators, such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, chromatin remodeling complexes, and non-coding RNAs, dynamically modulate chromatin structure and gene expression patterns in response to developmental cues and environmental stimuli. The insights gained from this research will not only deepen our understanding of fundamental biological processes but also offer new avenues for developing innovative therapeutic interventions for human diseases and improving crop resilience to environmental stresses. By unraveling the dynamic interplay of epigenomics and epigenetics, this research topic holds promise for advancing both human health and agricultural sustainability.

The goal of this research topic is to elucidate the complex interplay between epigenetics and environment as well as their impacts on plant and human health. By unravelling the molecular mechanisms underlying epigenetic regulation, this research topic aims to identify therapeutic targets for diseases and improving our understanding on plant development and stress responses. While significant progress has been made in understanding genetic and epigenomic mechanisms, the dynamic interplay between these two regulatory layers remains poorly understood. The lack of comprehensive understanding hinders our ability to harness full potential of epigenetic regulation for therapeutic interventions in human health and agricultural sustainability. By addressing these challenges and leveraging recent advances in the field, this research topic aims to advance our understanding of epigenetic regulation and its implications for improving human health and plant productivity.

This Research Topic welcomes research / review articles on, but not limited to, the following topics:
• Epigenome profiling: Investigating the diverse array of epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs, and elucidating their roles in regulating gene expression/cellular function/key developmental processes.
• Map and analyze epigenetic landscapes across various biological contexts, from development to disease.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

  • Brief Research Report
  • Classification
  • Data Report
  • Editorial
  • General Commentary
  • Hypothesis and Theory
  • Methods
  • Mini Review
  • Opinion

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

  • Brief Research Report
  • Classification
  • Data Report
  • Editorial
  • General Commentary
  • Hypothesis and Theory
  • Methods
  • Mini Review
  • Opinion
  • Original Research
  • Perspective
  • Review
  • Systematic Review
  • Technology and Code

Keywords: Abiotic stress, Biotic stress tolerance, Plant epigenomics, Animal epigenomics, Epigenetic mechanisms, Plant biology, Health and disease.

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.

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