Perinatal and Developmental Epigenetics

Increasing evidence shows the perinatal periods see intense epigenetic activity, enabling the fine-tuning of developmental processes in response to changing environment conditions. Perinatal and Developmental Epigenetics, a new volume in the Translational Epigenetics series, provides a thorough overview of epigenetics in the early developmental and perinatal stages, illuminating pathways for drug discovery and clinical advances. Here, over 25 international researchers examine recent steps forward in our understanding of epigenetic programming during perinatal and early development, opening with an in-depth introduction to known and newly discovered epigenetic marks and how they regulate various cellular processes. Later sections examine various prenatal and perinatal environmental experiences and their ability to derail the normal developmental trajectory via epigenetic reprogramming. Insights and suggestions for future research illuminate approaches for identifying individual disease susceptibility, while concluding chapters highlight preventative and targeted therapeutic pathways to improve quality of life into adulthood. Examines disease onset stemming from epigenetic changes during the perinatal periods Features contributions from international experts in the field, across basic biology, disease research, and drug discovery Offers intervention strategies to mitigate adverse developmental programming to improve health outcomes