Epigenetics is the study of molecular processes that influence the flow of information between a constant DNA sequence and variable gene expression patterns. This includes investigation of nuclear organization, DNA methylation, histone modification and RNA transcription. Epigenetic processes can result in intergenerational (heritable) effects as well as clonal propagation of cell identity without any mutational change in DNA sequence. Epigenetics has the potential to be a key element in a paradigm change of our understanding of aging, development, cancer, heart disease, psychological disorders, and other diseases. For example, Epigenetic modifications have a considerable effect on cancer. Changes in the pattern of histone modifications in the promoter sequences as epigenetic regulation lead to changes in chromatin structure thus may be the cause of altered gene expression by activation of oncogenes.

The Epigenetics Compound Library by TargetMol, containing 953 compounds related to epigenetic regulation, can be used for research in epigenetics, high throughput screening and high content screening for new drugs in epigenetic modification.