Since completion of the human genome project in 2006, it has become increasingly clear that cellular differentiation and many heritable phenotypes are not due to differences in DNA base sequence, but are the consequence of secondary mechanisms that temporally and spatially regulate gene expression. This epigenetic control is complex and frequently involves modification of DNA and DNA histone proteins by methylation. Changes in DNA methylation have been associated with stem cell differentiation, imprinting, inactivation of the X chromosome, normal aging, malignant transformation and clinical response to chemotherapy. Major advances have included the role of epigenetic changes in acute leukemia and MDS as well as a complete base sequence of the human DNA methylome. This workshop will provide an overview of epigenetics in human pluripotent stem cells and acute leukemia by two leading authorities in the field.