Epigenetics, Epitranscriptomics, and Gene Regulation

This course is designed as an in-depth exploration of the field of epigenetics and epitranscriptomics, with a focus on gaining understanding of gene regulatory mechanisms that occur without changes in the underlying DNA sequence. We extensively cover DNA and RNA modifications, histone modifications, chromatin remodeling, non-coding RNAs, RNA editing, and prions. Reading materials consist of current primary literature and we discuss how epigenetic and epitranscriptomic shape developmental and aging processes, responses to nutrition, environmental exposures and infections, and malignancies such as cancer, neurological disorders, and inflammatory diseases. We also cover molecular techniques commonly used in biomedical research in depth, as well as discuss cutting-edge methods such as single-cell approaches and machine learning applications, and emerging diagnostic and therapeutics based on epigenetic and epitranscriptomic mechanisms. The goal of this course is to learn about current topics in the field, enhance scientific literature comprehension, and learn how to propose a new study by formulating new hypotheses and designing experiments to test them.