Epigenetics, long considered little more than a collection of bizarre phenomena resisting explanation from established genetic principles, has developed into a mature and extremely active field of study. Its findings show that cells have evolved complex mechanisms to modify their chromatin and sustain stable differentiation states, but at the same time retaining a remarkable plasticity.

Epigenetics studies those changes in gene expression or cellular phenotype caused by mechanisms other than changes in the underlying DNA sequence. Epigenetic mechanisms play a fundamental role in the regulation of many biological processes. Alterations in epigenetic patterns have important physiological consequences, and are a central component in the development of many human diseases including cancer. Recent discoveries made in our group and other laboratories have revealed unexpected functions of DNA repair in protecting not only the genome but also in the dynamic control of the epigenome. The understanding of these new and intriguing findings is the main objective of our group.