In summary, the utilization of a variety of approaches will allow researchers to better investigate changes in DNA methylation, miRNA expression, histone modification, and imprinting which may be associated with in utero exposures, behavior, and even disease development. Profiles of epigenetic regulation in a variety of tissues associated with maternal cigarette smoking during pregnancy will inform researchers of the impact of maternal cigarette smoking during pregnancy on the epigenetic mechanisms in a particular tissue and may also prove to be powerful biomarkers of exposure, disease susceptibility or progression, and even pharmacokinetic efficacy. In such ways, translational epigenetics may be brought from benchtop-to-bedside and may prove advantageous in aiding clinicians in the diagnosis of exposure, disease, risk for mental health and behavioral problems, as well as treatment.
