Advancements in Aquatic Epigenetics: From Cellular Mechanisms to Aquaculture Applications

Aquatic epigenetics has emerged as a promising field of study, providing insights into the intricate regulation of gene expression influenced by environmental factors. The current research landscape highlights the unique adaptability of aquatic organisms, leveraging their varied life histories and environmental interactions to unravel epigenetic processes. Key mechanisms such as DNA methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNA regulation have been identified as pivotal in development, adaptation, and environmental response. Although mitochondrial epigenetics remains relatively underexplored, it is revealing new dimensions of cellular function and metabolic control, specifically within aquatic species. Recent studies have underscored the necessity to further investigate how these processes shape the phenotypic traits and survival strategies of aquatic animals, reflecting the broader ecological and economic implications.

This Research Topic aims to advance our understanding of aquatic epigenetics, particularly focusing on both nuclear and mitochondrial mechanisms. The primary goal is to explore the influence of epigenetic regulation on development, environmental adaptation, and adaptive traits in aquatic organisms. Moreover, the research seeks to translate these insights into practical applications for aquaculture, aiming to enhance growth performance, stress resilience, immune function, and reproductive success. By fostering collaboration among molecular biologists, environmental scientists, and aquaculture experts, the research aims to bridge the gap between fundamental epigenetics and applied aquaculture practices. This collection aspires to position aquatic epigenetics as a transformative field, pivotal for ecological research and the enhancement of sustainable aquaculture systems.

To gather further insights in aquatic epigenetics and its application in aquaculture, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

- Epigenomic mechanisms pertinent to nuclear and mitochondrial regulation in aquatic organisms
- Roles of DNA methylation, histone modifications, chromatin remodeling, and non-coding RNAs
- Impact of epigenetic processes on environmental adaptation and stress responses
- Transgenerational inheritance patterns within aquatic species
- Application of epigenetic insights in optimizing selective breeding, disease resistance, and climate stress resilience
- Methodological advancements and bioinformatics approaches tailored to aquatic species.

Original research articles, reviews, and perspectives relevant to these themes are welcome with submissions undergoing rigorous peer review to ensure alignment with high scientific and ethical standards.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Classification
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Classification
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review

Keywords: aquatic epigenetics, fish epigenetics, mitochondrial epigenetics, DNA methylation in aquatic organisms, histone modifications in aquaculture species, non-coding RNAs in fish development and immunity, environmental epigenetics and stress responses in fish, transgenerational epigenetic inheritance in aquatic species, epigenetics for disease resistance and selective breeding, sustainable aquaculture and epigenetic adaptation

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.