New Insights of Environmental Toxicogenomics

Dear Colleagues, 

Since the publication of “Silent Spring” by Rachel Carlson in 1962 on the widespread environmental damage caused by the indiscriminate use of pesticides, the field of toxicology has evolved to toxicogenomics, which includes genome-wide association studies (GWASs) and epigenome-wide association studies (EWASs); these studies identify novel genetic and epigenetic variants that are associated with toxicant response phenotypes. In addition, there are now international societies and consortia dedicated to toxicogenomic research and implementation, developmental origins of health and disease (DOHAD) initiated by prenatal toxicant exposures, multigenerational epigenetic effects of toxicant exposures, and the increasing availability of toxicogenomic and epigenomic assays for basic researchers.

However, current challenges related to toxicogenomic discoveries include an evolving regulatory landscape of toxicants, for example, untested “replacement chemicals” such as BPS (bisphenol S) for the potentially hazardous BPA (bisphenol A); the best practices for toxicogenomic assays; testing; and interpretation. Moreover, the implementation of current toxicogenomic knowledge introduces novel challenges for the field, including how to manage the interplay between gene–toxicant and toxicant interactions with the epigenome as the specific loci, such as in the promoter or enhancer regions of specific genes.

This Special Issue is a collection of articles showcasing novel and international research in toxicogenomics, spanning the field from discovery, to assay development, to regulatory implications. Manuscripts on the following topics will be considered for publication and are encouraged: epigenome-wide association studies (EWASs); multi-ethnic and diverse population research; variant/haplotype discovery and/or functional characterization; toxicogenomic technologies, assay validation and experience; phenoconversion and gene–epigene–toxicant interactions; and clinical-provider education.

Prof. Dr. Douglas Ruden
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Genes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• embryonic stem cells
• toxicology
• development
• toxicogenomics
• genes