Epigenetic changes have been conjectured to be highly relevant to the development of chronic health problems because they account for interactive relationships among environment, genetic background, and disease (Ptak and Petronis, 2008). Epigenetic modifications cause a change in gene activity without altering the underlying DNA sequence. Types of epigenetic/genetic alterations include (1) DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation; (2) histone modifications; (3) chromatin structural alterations, as well as chromosomal instability. Epigenetic modifications may result from aging as well as in response to multiple environmental and life-style factors including diet, exercise patterns, hormone, and chemical exposures. Thus, epigenetic changes are a potentially modifiable aspect of human biology. This special issue will focus on the intersection of epigenetics with nursing research and practice.

We invite authors to submit original research, focused review articles, and theory papers which address empirical, practice, and policy related to epigenetics. We encourage submission from all health and basic science fields. Potential topics may include, but are not limited to:

• Elucidating the role of epigenetics in the variability observed in symptoms and outcomes in chronic diseases
• Examining the clinical and practice implications of epigenetic measures
• Illustrating and critically analyzing novel epigenetic measures
• Integrating epigenetics into nursing research
• Research design issues related to using epigenetic measures in nursing research

Before submission authors should carefully read over the journal's Author Guidelines, which are located at http://www.hindawi.com/journals/nrp/guidelines/. Prospective authors should submit an electronic copy of their complete manuscript through the journal Manuscript Tracking System at http://mts.hindawi.com/author/submit/journals/nrp/epig/ according to the following timetable: