WSU scientist is top editor of new epigenetics journal

Skinner-80PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington State University scientist Michael K. Skinner is editor-in-chief of a new open-access journal from Oxford University Press (OUP), Environmental Epigenetics.

Epigenetics is the study of factors that change gene activity that are not caused by changes in the DNA sequence. Skinner received the American Ingenuity Award from the Smithsonian for his epigenetics research, which was selected among the top 100 discoveries in 2005 and 2007 by Discover science news magazine.

“Over 95 percent of the literature on epigenetics has been published in the last five years; of this, 25 percent is in the area of environmental epigenetics,” Skinner said.

environmental-epigeneticsThe journal is open for submissions, and OUP will waive article processing charges for an introductory period. See http://www.enviro-epigenetics.org/.

The scope of the journal will be environmental impacts on epigenetics on both a molecular and physiological level, involving all living organisms. This includes areas from evolution, ecology and population epigenetics to medicine, disease etiology and the developmental origins of disease. How the environment impacts the molecular mechanisms and processes involved in epigenetics and genetics is included.

“Epigenetics is a fast moving, revolutionary field, and we are delighted to be working with Michael Skinner to help this valuable research reach the widest possible audience,” said Lisa Walton, publisher at OUP.

Skinner is founding director of the WSU and University of Idaho Center for Reproductive Biology.

 

Contacts:
Michael K. Skinner, WSU Center for Reproductive Biology, 509-335-1524, skinner@wsu.edu

Erin Ganley, Oxford University Press marketing, +1 919.677.0977 x5163, erin.ganley@oup.com