Fig. 1

The fundamental theoretical framework “IDEA” of methylation development. The framework for this review is organized into four basic aspects of methylomics research, including (1) identification of methylation modifications on various causal genes, RNAs, or chromatin regions and their associated regulatory mechanisms; (2) conventional and advanced methods of methylation detection techniques; (3) engineering new methods, especially CRISPRoff/on and methylation-targeted agents, for manipulating methylation marks as a possible therapeutic or research strategy; and (4) current and future application of methylation markers or methylomics profiling in clinical settings, such as cancer diagnostics or possible future targeted interventions for cancer