Cancer can develop in various ways. Genetic changes can cause the growth of tumours, but also other factors, such as environmental influences, contribute to healthy cells developing into cancer cells. One of the fields of research looking into these processes is epigenetics.

For research, it is a challenge to understand the action of environmental influences on the changes of the "epi-genome" and the way in which they influence the onset, the aethiopathology and the severity of malignant diseases. The decryption of these mechanisms can constitute the basis for developing new possibilities of diagnosis and treatment. Epigenetics is a highly dynamic field of research playing an important role particularly in cancer research.

Christoph Plass and his working group address in particular the molecular mechanisms constituting the basis of malignant cell growth. Their interest here focuses on the interaction of epigenetic and genetic changes in the formation of tumours.

In his lecture, Professor Plass will explain the field of epigenetics and introduce some examples from current research.

Organiser: German Research Foundation (DFG)