Overview

Decoding of the human genome was completed in 2003, and the genome of many more species are being sequenced. However, it is well-known that the expression of the genetic information of the genome is not controlled only by the DNA sequence and the transcription devices.

In many organisms, the expression of genes is also regulated by chemical and structural modifications of chromatin, which is composed of genomic DNA and proteins such as histones. The research field studying such regulation is called "epigenetics," and epigenetic information is established during development and is act as cellular memory thereafter.

Epigenetics is involved in a wide variety of biological phenomena such as embryogenesis, cell differentiation, somatic cell cloning, genomic imprinting, X-chromosome inactivation, nerve function, and aging, and is also related to the cause of many diseases such as cancer and congenital anomalies.

However, since the target organisms range from yeast to plants and mammals, researchers conduct epigenetic research as a member of many different academic societies (The Molecular Biology Society of Japan, the Japanese Biochemical Society, the Japanese Cancer Society, the Japanese Society of Developmental Biologist, the Genetics Society of Japan, the Botanical Society of Japan, the Japanese Society for Neurochemistry, the Japanese Society for Cell Biology, and so on).

To promote epigenetic research in Japan, we thought that it is essential to integrate researchers based on various academic societies and create a place to exchange information.

In December 2006, the founders gathered and the Japanese Society of Epigenetics was established with the aim of promoting research exchanges in this field.

We sincerely ask for your support and cooperation.