Epigenetics is a crucial biological process that plays a fundamental role in human development and cellular differentiation. With the advent of advanced technologies and analytical methods, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of epigenetic dysregulation in the aetiology of psychiatric disorders. In this talk, I will first provide an overview of key features of the human epigenome, highlighting its relevance to health and disease. The focus will then shift to recent technological advancements that have enabled deeper exploration of epigenetic modifications, specifically DNA methylation. I will discuss recent findings that elucidate the relationship between differential epigenetic profiles and psychiatric conditions, e.g. autism spectrum disorders, the impact of adverse psychological experiences and anxiety, psychosis and eating disorders. These insights underscore the potential of epigenetic research to enhance and reveal novel, disrupted biological underpinnings and pathways in psychiatric disorders, deepening our comprehension of their origins and potentially highlighting new therapeutic targets.

Registration Link:            Please click into the below link for registration (face-to-face or zoom) as follows:

https://hku.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIvfuiupjkpHNyyPlPS6ycvCyO8Z-S-Pqjp