表观遗传学被许多人认为是 "新遗传学"，因为人们认识到许多生物现象不是通过基因突变来控制的，而是通过可逆的、可遗传的表观遗传过程来控制的，这为发现开辟了新的途径。表观遗传学影响的生物过程从组织/器官再生、X染色体失活、干细胞分化到基因组印记和衰老。表观遗传学的影响是巨大的，包括低等生物和人类。表观遗传学的畸变影响许多疾病，包括但不限于癌症、免疫疾病、神经系统和代谢疾病以及印记疾病。临床干预已经对其中一些疾病进行了干预，许多新型的表观遗传学疗法也即将问世。

这本由表观遗传学领域领军人物撰写的综述集，为这一重要且不断发展的课题提供了广阔的视野。从分子机制和表观遗传技术到人类疾病和临床表观遗传学的发现，科学的性质和应用将为那些感兴趣的人介绍，从表观遗传学的基本基础到基于表观遗传的疾病的治疗干预。

Epigenetics is considered by many to be the "new genetics" because the realization that many biological phenomena are controlled not through gene mutations, but rather through reversible and heritable epigenetic processes that have opened up new paths for discovery. The biological processes impacted by epigenetics range from tissue/organ regeneration, X-chromosome inactivation, and stem cell differentiation to genomic imprinting and aging. The effects of epigenetics are vast and encompass lower organisms as well as humans. Aberrations of epigenetics influence many diseases involving but not limited to cancer, immune disorders, neurological and metabolic disorders, and imprinting diseases. Clinical intervention is already in place for some of these disorders and many novel epigenetic therapies are on the horizon.

This comprehensive collection of reviews written by leaders in the field of epigenetics provides a broad view of this important and evolving topic. From molecular mechanisms and epigenetic technology to discoveries in human disease and clinical epigenetics the nature and applications of the science will be presented for those with interests ranging from the fundamental basis of epigenetics to therapeutic interventions for epigenetic-based disorders.