Mouse models in epigenetics: insights in development and disease.

Epigenetics is devoted to the study of molecular mechanisms that can modify the structure of the chromatin fiber and, in that way, regulate large-scale patterns of gene transcription. In mammals, most molecular mechanisms that are considered 'epigenetic' have key roles during development and in adult cells and tissues, and have been implicated in a number of human diseases, including cancer. Here, we outline a brief overview on the contribution of the mouse model system to the emergence of epigenetics as a research field on its own.