We aim to understand how our phenotypes are formed by our genome, early life environment and stochastic events. Our focus is on the epigenome and its role as a mediator of environmental influences. By revealing the molecular mechanisms of environmental-induced epigenetic alterations as well as their consequences on gene regulation and embryonic development, we will clarify the etiology of complex phenotypes in health and disorder. The main environmental factors in our studies are prenatal alcohol exposure and in vitro fertilization.