Epigenetics are heritable changes in gene expression that do not involve alterations to the underlying DNA sequence. These changes can be regulated by DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs.  Within the national research collaboration SFB-F70 “HDACs as regulators of T cell-mediated immunity in health and disease” our lab studies the role of epigenetic modifications in the development of autoimmune diseases and investigates the role of bioactive compounds targeting epigenetic pathways as a novel therapeutic strategy. Our work in this research area has already led to publications characterizing the role of HDAC1 in T cells for the development of arthritis and encephalomyelitis.