Daria Gaykolova, PhD, UMSOM Associate Professor of Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, is the director of the NIH/FAES Epigenetics course from 12/8/25-12/12/25. Please reach out to Dr. Gaykalova with questions.
Registration Link
https://education.faes.org/search/publicCourseSearchDetails.do?method=load&courseId=1059999
Course Overview
Sequencing of the human genome was not the endpoint of our goal in understanding human genetics. The chemical modifications to DNA and the chemical interactions involving the manufacture of proteins represents a second level of human genetics termed, epigenetics or epigenomics. Epigenetics refers to the study of heritable changes in gene expression that occur without a change in DNA sequence. Research has shown that epigenetic mechanisms provide an additional layer of transcriptional control that regulates how genes are expressed. Epigenetic abnormalities are associated with genetic disorders, cancer, autoimmune diseases, aging and pediatric syndromes, among others.
This course will address the basic principles of epigenetics, the role of epigenetic mechanisms in normal development and human disease, and the development of epigenetically-effective drugs. The objective of the program is to provide a solid foundation of information enabling participants to design experiments when returning to their own research lab. Furthermore, to provide a solid background in order to understand the literature in this rapidly growing field.
Participating instructors are distinguished, actively publishing faculty members from leading institutes and universities of Maryland and Washington, DC, with extensive expertise and a proven track record in these fields.