About this Research Topic

Background

Although the evolutionary potential of any species is determined by its genetic diversity, there is mounting evidence in the literature suggesting contribution of epigenome diversity as well. Even though the research on inter- and intra- species heterogeneity has advanced to a great extent, the interplay between genomic and epigenomic variations in diverse populations remains largely unexplored. The possibility that epigenomic diversity and heterogeneity can compensate for any loss in genomic diversity is largely unrevealed. The magnitude and patterns of genomic and epigenomic diversity in eukaryotic species, particularly those related closely but distinct ecologically, warrants comprehensive investigation. Investigating the relative patterns of genomic and epigenomic diversity in diverse populations associated with different types of habitats is imperative because epigenomic variations have the capacity to exhibit modifications in response to different environmental factors. In addition to genomics, natural epigenomic variations also contribute to local adaptation and survival in wild populations by providing an extra heritable phenotypic variation to complement genomic variation(s). Recent studies have observed that in genetically homogenous colonies, epigenomic diversity tends to play a greater role by compensating for the loss of genomic variation(s), thereby demonstrating it as an additional component of genomic variation(s).

Genomic diversity due to alterations in nucleotide sequences of DNA is not the only heritable information influencing population survival, evolution and ecology. In fact, epigenomic variations including methylation of DNA or chromatin states have been shown to inherit from one generation to another and influence phenotypic characters, indicating that both genomic and epigenomic variations have multiple implications on species and population diversity. Linking evolutionary dynamics of epigenomic variations to genomic diversity in DNA methylation remains a challenge. Investigating population genetics and the trajectories of evolution of mutations causing DNA methylation changes, combined with genome editing, could unravel the evolutionary significance of variations in epigenome.

This Research Topic welcomes both original studies and review articles assessing the genomic and epigenomic variations in health and diseases of different species. The topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

· Genomic and epigenomic polymorphisms in heterogeneous environments.
· Causes and consequences of genomic and epigenomic heterogeneity in disease evolution.
· Epigenomic annotations for investigating complex characters.
· Understanding the relationship of environmental/phenotypic factors with genomic and epigenomic characteristics of species/populations.
· Genetic factors influencing dynamic signatures of epigenome and its effects.
· Comprehensive analysis of epigenetic heterogeneity in identifying disease drivers.
· Impact of heritable epigenetic variation on evolution and its significance.

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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