Epigenomic Pharmacology

Modifications to DNA that do not change the underlying gene sequence, but instead alter gene expression, are called epigenetic modifications, and are known to play an important role in many diseases and during normal development. Currently, scientists and pharmaceutical companies interested in manipulating the epigenome lack precise, cell-specific tools to accomplish this goal. What are the challenges and opportunities for developing such tools? How could Common Fund investment build on recent advances in epigenomics research and accelerate new technologies in cell- and locus-specific tools to manipulate the epigenome? These planning questions are being explored within the context of the existing Common Fund Epigenomics program.