Plant Epigenetic Memory Under Abiotic Stress
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Plant Sciences".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 11 January 2026 | Viewed by 4
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Plant adaptation to abiotic stress is a critical area of research, especially in the context of global climate change and its impact on agriculture and natural ecosystems. Recent advances have highlighted the pivotal role of epigenetic memory, heritable changes in gene expression without alterations in DNA sequence, in enabling plants to withstand and adapt to recurring or prolonged environmental stresses such as drought, salinity, heat, and heavy metal exposure. These molecular mechanisms, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and chromatin remodeling, orchestrate the regulation of stress-responsive genes and contribute to phenotypic plasticity and transgenerational stress tolerance. This Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive platform for cutting-edge research and reviews that elucidate the molecular basis of plant epigenetic memory under various abiotic stresses. We invite submissions focusing on:
- Mechanistic studies of epigenetic modifications in response to abiotic stress.
- Molecular pathways linking stress perception to stable epigenetic changes.
- Functional genomics and transcriptomics reveal epigenetic regulation.
- Transgenerational inheritance of stress memory.
- Integration of epigenetic data with physiological and developmental outcomes.
Papers should emphasize molecular-level insights, employing approaches such as next-generation sequencing, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and advanced molecular genetics. Clinical or survey-based studies are outside the scope of this issue. The goal is to advance our understanding of how epigenetic mechanisms underpin plant resilience and adaptation, ultimately informing crop improvement strategies for stress tolerance.
Dr. Md Mezanur Rahman
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- plant epigenetics
- epigenetic memory
- abiotic stress
- DNA methylation
- histone modification
- chromatin remodeling
- transgenerational inheritance
- stress-responsive genes
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