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Epigenetic changes modify the way genetic information is expressed without directly changing the genetic code stored in DNA. Although some epigenetic changes are part of normal development and aging, environmental health scientists are concerned that environmental factors may cause epigenetic changes that lead to health problems.
Epigenetic changes likely play an important role in development and are thought to be involved in a wide range of diseases and disorders, including autoimmune and neurodevelopmental disorders, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.
What Is NIEHS Doing?
Scientists funded through NIEHS work to better understand the link between environmental exposures and epigenetic regulation of gene expression, and how these interactions may affect human health and disease. Using emerging technologies, they analyze epigenetic changes caused by exposure to metals; air pollution; tobacco smoke; endocrine-disrupting chemicals, such as bisphenol A, tributyltin, pesticides, and phthalates; and other contaminants. Researchers use animals, cell cultures, human tissue samples, and population-based studies to pinpoint how epigenetic changes might lead to harmful health effects that could be passed to future generations.
NIEHS-funded environmental epigenetics research could enhance our understanding of how environmental factors influence human health and change how we diagnose and treat disease.
Currently Funded Programs
- Through a program called Utilizing In Vitro Functional Genomics Advances for Gene-Environment (G X E) Discovery and Validation , researchers investigate the interplay between environment, genetics, and epigenetics to better understand connections between human susceptibility to environmental exposures and disease.
- The Toxicant Exposures and Responses by Genomic and Epigenomic Regulators of Transcription (TaRGET) Program aims to increase our understanding of how environmental exposures affect and interact with functional and regulatory processes in the body that lead to certain patterns of epigenetic changes.
Learn more about epigenetics in the NIEHS Health and Education portal.
Program Contacts
Program Lead for TaRGET, Animal, Basic, and Mechanistic Research
Frederick L. Tyson, Ph.D. Health Scientist Administrator Tel 984-287-3334 Fax 919-564-5064 tyson2@niehs.nih.gov
Program Lead for Population-based Research
Program Lead for Preconception and Transgenerational Inheritance Studies
NIEHS scientists help visiting fellow establish lab in Nigeria Ambitious effort to study gene-environment interactions gains momentum RNA modifications in skin cancer focus of Keystone Lecture Precision environmental health brings nuance to disease prevention Epigenetics Resources