Much of our research focuses on DNA methylation, which is the longest-known and best-understood epigenetic modification. In addition, we also address RNA modifications, which provide an important mechanistic complement to DNA methylation. In our cancer epigenetics projects, we characterize environmental epigenetic changes in disease continuums, from healthy tissue to malignant tumors, with a focus on colon cancer and non-melanoma skin cancer. We are also using molecular and cellular approaches to functionally characterize RNA modifications, with a focus on bladder cancer. Finally, we are developing new model systems for epigenetics research that allow fundamentally novel insight into the interactions between the environment and the genome. This has spawned major developmental activities in diverse fields, such as age prevention, animal welfare monitoring and sustainable food production. While these projects go beyond cancer research, they illustrate the major societal relevance and impact of epigenetics research.
