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Epigenetic Mechanisms at the Crossroads of Development, Immune Response, and Neuropathology

  • 1st Edition - January 1, 2027
  • Latest edition
  • Editors: Varun Sasidharan Nair, Alessia Polito
  • Language: English

Epigenetics at the Crossroads of Development, Immune Response, and Neuropathology offers an in-depth exploration of how epigenetic mechanisms shape neural development, immune… Read more

Description

Epigenetics at the Crossroads of Development, Immune Response, and Neuropathology offers an in-depth exploration of how epigenetic mechanisms shape neural development, immune interactions, and disease progression in the central nervous system. This interdisciplinary volume synthesizes current knowledge across neuroscience, immunology, and pathology, addressing the critical need for integrated frameworks that connect molecular regulation with clinical outcomes. The book covers foundational epigenetic processes such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs, illustrating their roles in neural differentiation, circuit formation, and brain plasticity. It further examines how environmental factors influence epigenetic landscapes, impacting resilience and vulnerability to neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. The volume also delves into the epigenetic drivers of neuropathologies including glioblastoma, neuroinflammation, and neurodegeneration, highlighting emerging therapeutic strategies. With contributions from leading international experts, this resource bridges basic science and translational research, providing valuable insights for researchers, clinicians, and advanced students seeking to understand and target complex CNS disorders. Its comprehensive scope ensures it serves as a critical reference for advancing precision medicine in neurology and neuro-oncology.

Key features

  • Integrates molecular epigenetic mechanisms with neurodevelopment, immune regulation, and disease processes
  • Highlights advanced epigenomic technologies and translational therapeutic strategies
  • Connects foundational biology with precision medicine approaches for CNS disorders
  • Provides comprehensive, interdisciplinary insights for researchers and clinicians
  • Addresses current gaps by linking epigenetics, neuroimmunology, and neuropathology

Readership

Neuroscience and neuroimmunology researchers and clinicians

Table of contents

SECTION 1: EPIGENETIC REGULATION OF BRAIN DEVELOPMENT

1. Foundations of Neuroepigenetics: Mechanisms and Molecular Architecture

2. Epigenetic Regulation of Brain Development: From Neural Induction to Circuit Formation

3. Genomic Imprinting and Parent-of-Origin Effects in Brain Function and Behavior

SECTION 2: NEUROIMMUNE CROSSTALK AND EPIGENETICS

4. Glial Cell Identity and Plasticity: An Epigenetic Perspective

5. Microglia and the Epigenome: Guardians of Neural Homeostasis and Plasticity

6. Environmental Influences and the Epigenetic Shaping of Brain Resilience and Vulnerability

7. Epigenetic Signatures of Behaviour: Linking Experience, Neural Plasticity, and Long-Term Brain Function

SECTION 3: EPIGENETIC DRIVERS OF NEUROPATHOLOGY

8. Neuroimmune Crosstalk: Epigenetic Control of Inflammation in the CNS

9. Epigenetic Reprogramming of Immune Cells During CNS Infections

10. Epigenetics of Neuroinflammatory Disorders: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Targets

11. Epigenetic Dysregulation in Neurodegenerative Diseases

12. Ischemic Neurodegeneration: Epigenetic Mechanisms and Modulation by Pharmacological Treatments

13. Targeting the Epigenome in Brain Tumors: Therapeutic Strategies and Challenges

14. Epigenetic Landscapes of Glioblastoma: From Cell of Origin to Immune Escape

SECTION 4: TOOLS AND TERAPEUTICS

15. Epigenomic Editing Technologies in Neuroscience: Tools for Discovery and Diagnosis

16. Emerging Concepts in Neuroepigenetic Therapeutics

Product details

  • Edition: 1
  • Latest edition
  • Published: January 1, 2027
  • Language: English

About the editors

VN

Varun Sasidharan Nair

Dr. Varun Sasidharan Nair is an immunologist and postdoctoral fellow at the Instituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) in Genoa, Italy, working in the Genetics and Epigenetics of Behavior group. His research integrates cellular immunology and epigenetics, with a focus on T cell biology, immune regulation, cancer immunotherapy, and neuroimmunology. He earned master’s degrees in both biochemistry and biotechnology in India before completing a Ph.D. in Medicine at Hallym University, South Korea, where he investigated epigenetic regulation of Foxp3 in regulatory T cells. His postdoctoral work has spanned institutions in South Korea, the UAE, Qatar, Germany, and Italy, contributing significantly to the understanding of immune checkpoints, T cell programming, and neuroimmune regulation. His current research explores epigenetic mechanisms in glial cells and genomic imprinting. Dr. Sasidharan Nair has authored over 50 publications, reflecting his deep engagement with the molecular mechanisms of immune function in health and disease.

Affiliations and expertise
Instituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Italy

AP

Alessia Polito

Dr. Alessia Polito is a neuroscientist and postdoctoral fellow at the Instituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) in Italy, working in the "Genetics and Epigenetics of Behavior" group. She obtained her master’s degree in biology from the University of Naples “Federico II,” focusing on genomic imprinting during brain development. She later joined the Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), investigating lysosomal storage diseases. Dr. Polito completed her PhD in Neuroscience at the University of Padua, conducting research at IIT, Genoa. Her doctoral work explored how imprinted genes influence neural development and circuit formation and how genomic imprinting affects the circadian clock and sleep homeostasis using 2D and 3D in vitro cortical models. Currently, her research centers on the primate-specific NPAP1 gene and its role in Prader-Willi syndrome, lipid metabolism, and circadian rhythms. Her work bridges evolutionary biology and translational neuroscience, aiming to inform future clinical strategies for PWS.

Affiliations and expertise
Instituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Italy