Genomics and Epigenomics in Molecular Neurobiology
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Neurobiology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2025) | Viewed by 681
Special Issue Editor
Interests: pharmacogenomics; pharmacoepigenetics; genomics of brain disorders; neuroepigenetics; CNS drug development; neurodegenerative disorders; Alzheimer’s disease; Parkinson’s disease
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Molecular neurobiology plays a fundamental role in genomic medicine, especially in the study and treatment of diseases of the nervous system. Its importance can be summarized based on the following key aspects. (1) Understanding the molecular basis of diseases: It allows for the identification of genetic and molecular alterations that underlie neuropsychiatric disorders. It facilitates the understanding of the cellular and biochemical mechanisms that cause neuronal dysfunction. (2) Development of personalized therapies: The integration of molecular and genomic data allows for the design of targeted treatments that adapt to the specific genetic profile of the patient. It favors the application of gene therapies, molecular modulators and drugs that act on specific pathways involved in the pathology. (3) Identification of biomarkers: Studies in molecular neurobiology have allowed us to discover biomarkers that can predict responses to treatments and the progression of diseases. This is essential for early diagnosis and for monitoring therapeutic efficacy in clinical practice. (4) Optimizing drug safety and efficacy: By understanding how genetic variations and molecular alterations influence neuronal function, doses can be adjusted and the most appropriate drugs can be selected, reducing adverse effects and improving clinical outcomes. (5) Innovation in drug design: Molecular neurobiology facilitates the discovery of new therapeutic targets, driving the development of innovative drugs for diseases that have historically been difficult to treat. (6) Advances in technology and data integration: With the development of various techniques, such as high-throughput sequencing and proteomics, molecular neurobiology has become a powerful tool for analyzing the complexity of the brain and its alterations at the genetic and protein levels. The integration of these data into genomic medicine platforms allows us to utilize a multidisciplinary approach that can improve diagnostic and therapeutic accuracy.
Advances in genomics have transformed molecular neurobiology by enabling researchers to delve into the genetic and molecular underpinnings of brain function, development, and disease. Some of the key points that highlight the importance of genomics in this field are as follows: (1) Uncovering genetic foundations of neural function: Identification of risk variants and mapping gene expression. (2) Advancing Personalized Medicine: Tailored treatments and biomarker discovery. (3) Enhancing Understanding of Neural Networks: Systems’ biology approach and epigenetic modifications. (4) Facilitating Innovative Therapeutic Strategies: Gene therapy, genome editing and target identification. (5) Accelerating Research and Translational Applications: Large-scale data integration and collaborative research initiatives.
Epigenetics plays a critical role in molecular neurobiology by regulating gene expression without altering the underlying DNA sequence. This regulation is essential for normal brain development, synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory. Some of the key points that highlight its importance encompass the dynamic regulation of gene expression, neuronal development and differentiation, role in neuroplasticity, link to neurological and psychiatric disorders, therapeutic potential (epigenetic drugs), and integration of environmental influences.
This Special Issue provides an opportunity for researchers to integrate the multidisciplinary knowledge that genomics and epigenetics bring to molecular neurobiology in the exciting field of genomic medicine, with special emphasis on the following three areas dominated by personalized medicine: knowledge of the primary causes of diseases with information from structural and functional genomics, epigenetics, transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics; development of molecular biomarkers, specifically designed to detect the risk of suffering from central nervous system diseases in presymptomatic phases, which will allow us to implement prophylactic interventions and preventive programs; and personalized treatments with the help of two essential disciplines—pharmacogenomics and pharmacoepigenetics.
Prof. Dr. Ramón Cacabelos
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- genomics of brain disorders
- neuroepigenetics
- neurodegenerative disorders
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Parkinson’s disease
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