Early Life Epigenetics Translational Epigenetics Series

Early Life Epigenetics, a new volume in the Translational Epigenetics series, provides an overview of early life epigenetics across reproductive medicine, embryology, immunology, metabolic processes, endocrinology, neuroscience, genetic psychology, and psychiatry. Mechanisms, methods, biological systems, and the clinical relevance of these findings are addressed in-depth by global experts in the field. In offering a unique, interdisciplinary perspective, this volume combines epigenetics of embryonic development and cell differentiation with findings from social and environmental epigenetics, as well as biological psychiatry.

Here, discussion of early life epigenetics integrates cell studies and epidemiological data, timelines of epigenetic change, intervention and longitudinal studies of the long-term impact of environmental influences in early life, opening pathways for development of personalized therapeutics and new preventative measures.

1. Early life epigenetics – its impact in medicine, epidemiology, neuroscience, and psychiatry

Section I: Mechanisms
2. Epigenetic changes during embryogenesis
3. Epigenetic changes in early childhood and adolescence
4. Epigenetics and Developmental Origin of Health and Diseases
5. Sensitive periods in early life epigenetics across different physiological systems
6. Early life epigenetics involved in neuronal cell development
7. Early life epigenetics as biomarkers for health and diseases

Section II: Methods
8. Modelling epigenetic data across different developmental periods
9. Methods in early life epigenetics: Highlighting the role of twin studies
10 Animal models in early life epigenetics
11. Methodological considerations in the study of early life epigenetics

Section III: Biological Systems
12. The immune system as epigenetic response system
13. Epigenetics of nutrition in early life
14. Epigenetic mechanisms involved in thermotolerance acquisition
15. Epigenetics in neuronal cell differentiation
16. Sensitive periods of epigenetic changes following stress in neuronal cell development
17. Developmental programming of the HPA axis
18. Epigenetics of prenatal stress

Section VI: Clinical Relevance
19. Epigenetics in reproductive medicine
20. The impact of environmental toxins on epigenetic mechanisms related to hormonal development
21. Epigenetics of obesity
22. The impact of early life adversity on mental health: A mediating role for epigenetic mechanisms
23. Conclusion and Future directions

Dr. Vanessa Lux is a Research Fellow at AE Genetic Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum. Her research focuses on the physiological stress response influences in early psychobiological development, and how this is regulated by epigenetic mechanisms. She also has a passion for unsolved methodological and epistemological issues at the intersections of psychology and other life sciences. Further interests include developmental theory, embodiment theories and conceptual issues in empathy research and trauma research.