Event

Air pollution is a global health problem estimated to contribute to 6.5 million deaths annually. It is a major risk factor for a number of lung diseases, but the pathogenic mechanisms by which this occurs are not completely understood. Epigenetic modifications, which are heritable changes to DNA and chromatin that do not affect the DNA code itself, are recognized as critical to the development of many diseases and are susceptible to environmental exposures. In this session, we will hear from junior and senior faculty members who are leaders in the field the current knowledge of how pollution induces epigenetic changes that may contribute to the development of asthma, COPD, and pulmonary hypertension.