Nature Methods and Nature Biotechnology will host a live discussion on why histone modifications matter in health and disease.

Some call it a code, some call it a language. The fact is that core histone proteins that make up the nucloeosme can be modified by a range of post translational modifications (current tally is 16) and that these PTMs, individually or collectively, send a message to the transcription machinery, either attracting or repelling it.

If you have wondered about the nature of the histone code, if you have questions about the importance of its writers, readers and erasers, or wonder how these are changed in some diseases and what can be done about it, an upcoming webcast will give a chance to raise these questions.

On February 26 we will discuss the importance of histone modifications from two aspects. First:  What is the biology behind it? Which enzymes write the code and how important is crosstalk between different modifications?  Second: How can one efficiently target these enzymes to fight disease?

Our speakers, Ali Shilatifard and James Bradner, will present their views and then they will engage in a live discussion fueled by questions from the audience.

Sign up for the webcast, and post your questions here before February 26, or during the webcast on the event website.  Either way, we will try our best to get them answered.

Note: The live webcast has now concluded. Anyone who wants to see it may still register at the link above and view a recording of the webcast at their leisure.