One major challenge in biology is to understand how epigenetic modifications contribute to transcriptional plasticity. This issue is of particular importance in the brain, where experience-dependent changes in gene transcription are essential for its normal activity. Indeed, loss-of-function of key epigenetic regulators is associated with the development of disease-related symptomatology.

The main topics that will be covered in this course are:
- Understand the role of epigenetic regulators in the control of gene expression and cellular identity;
- Understand DNA methylation/hydroxymethylation changes to explain differential expression and characterize gene-specific histone modifications, both permissive and repressive;
- Understand the impact of epigenetic modifications in several mechanisms and diseases.

The course will be mainly theoretical but practical approaches for analysing epigenetic modifications will also be addressed.

This course does not provide credentials for the exercise of medicine for those without appropriate training, recognition and registered at the "Ordem dos Médicos".