WG Epigenetics

Head: PD Dr. rer. nat. Peter Zill

Despite intensive efforts in biological psychiatry, the specific aetiology of psychiatric disorders is still not fully understood. There is now great evidence that epigenetic mechanisms play an important role in the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders. The term epigenetics describes dynamic regulation of gene expression, mediated through modifications of DNA and the histones, by non-mutagenic mechanisms, as e.g. methylation, acetylation and phosphorylation, but also affected by small RNAs, as mircro RNA (RNA interferences). Epigenetic modifications often occur in response to environmental influences and represent therefore strong mediators in the ethiology of psychiatric disorders.

The main aims of our group are the analysis and identification of altered epigenetic, as well as their interacting genetic and neurobiological mechanisms as underlying causes in the pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders, especially in schizophrenia, affective disorders and addictive disorders. We perform global, as well as gene specific investigations combining molecular, biochemical, pharmacological and behavioral approaches in human studies. Our goal is the identification of risk- and susceptibility factors for psychiatric disorders as probable biomarkers and to provide a better understanding of the underlying causal biological mechanisms.