Epigenetics News and Research

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Epigenetics is the study of chemical reactions that influence gene expression, through activation or deactivation of genes at specific times and locations.

Cost-Effective Array Sheds Light on Imprinted Gene Regulation

Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed an array that assesses methylation levels of genes located in imprint control regions (ICRs) within the human genome. The array represents a cost-effective, efficient method for exploring potential links between environmental exposures and epigenetic dysregulation during the early developmental origins of diseases and behavioral disorders.

26 Jul 2024

New Pipeline Studies Viruses in Humans and Coral Reefs

Tens of millions of still-unknown or poorly understood viruses have the potential to cause diseases, including new pandemics, and impact the health of valuable terrestrial and marine environments.

10 Jul 2024

Scientists develop first fully functional human immune system in mouse model

Researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio have produced a mouse model that is humanized, complete with a human immune system and a gut microbiome that resembles that of a human being and is able to elicit particular antibody responses.

8 Jul 2024

AI Uncovers Cancer Drivers in Non-Coding DNA

Researchers at the Garvan Institute have discovered putative drivers of cancer concealed in so-called "junk" DNA regions, creating opportunities for novel approaches to diagnosis and treatment using artificial intelligence.

3 Jul 2024

Histone H3K9 Methylation Found to Act as a Dimmer Switch for Gene Regulation

Researchers led by Kannosuke Yabe, Asuka Kamio, and Soichi Inagaki of the University of Tokyo have discovered that in thale cresses histone H3 lysine-9 (H3K9) methylation, conventionally thought to be a mark of turning off gene transcription, can also turn on gene expression via the interactions of two other proteins and histone marks.

27 Jun 2024

Targeting RNA Modifications: A Novel Approach for Neuroblastoma Treatment

Neuroblastoma is a common pediatric cancer that originates in developing nerve cells outside the brain.

6 May 2024

Investigating Enhancer Function in Pluripotent Stem Cells

As embryos, all complex organisms are partially made up of pluripotent stem cells, a term for cells that have the capacity to differentiate into any kind of cell: nerve cells, muscle cells, blood cells, skin cells, and the like.

30 Apr 2024

Epigenetics May Spark Tumors Without DNA Mutations

Scientists from the CNRS are part of a research team that has found that epigenetic changes, or modifications that affect the regulation of gene expression, can be the sole cause of cancer, one of the world's leading causes of death.

25 Apr 2024

Immune System's Standby Mode: Healthy Tissue Keeps Defenses Ready

When pathogens invade the body, the immune system must react immediately to prevent or contain an infection.

25 Apr 2024

Study Offers Valuable Insights Into Mutagenesis Mechanisms and Cancer Evolution

Mutations are the changes in the DNA that gradually occur in human cells as they replicate, and the organism grows and ages.

13 Apr 2024

Breakthrough Study Reveals Key Mechanism in Passing Epigenetic Information During Cell Division

A research team led by Professor Yuanliang ZHAI at the School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong collaborating with Professor Ning GAO and Professor Qing LI from Peking University, as well as Professor Bik-Kwoon TYE from Cornell University, has recently made a significant breakthrough in understanding how the DNA copying machine helps pass on epigenetic information to maintain gene traits at each cell division.

11 Mar 2024

Unlocking RNA Secrets: New Method Exposes Gene Expression's Hidden Hurdles

A new study demonstrates that a method may identify, for the first time, the frequency and precise location of a molecular occurrence known as "backtracking" across the genetic material (genome) of any species.

12 Feb 2024

Big Data Analysis Reveals Hidden Patterns in Human Chromosomes

IRB Barcelona researchers find 13 unique genomic patterns in unexpected patterns in mutation risks across individuals.

11 Jan 2024

Epigenetic Key Unlocks Treatment Path for Endocrine-Resistant Breast Cancer

Endocrine resistance – a major cause of breast cancer deaths – can be underpinned by an epigenetic change called DNA methylation, researchers at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research have discovered.

10 Jan 2024

Mechanism of Pathogenic Fungus Aspergillus fumigatus Unveiled

An international team of researchers, led by Professor Gustavo Goldman of the University of São Paulo and Maynooth University's Dr Özgür Bayram, has unveiled ground-breaking findings on Aspergillus fumigatus, which can cause deadly disease in humans.

5 Jan 2024

How 3D DNA Architecture Shapes Cell Fate in Early Embryos

The intricate process of duplicating genetic information, referred to as DNA replication, lies at the heart of the transmission of life from one cell to another and from one organism to the next. This happens by not just simply copying the genetic information; a well-orchestrated sequence of molecular events has to happen at the right time.

21 Dec 2023

Epigenetic Changes in Insulin-Producing Cells Linked to Type 2 Diabetes Onset

Do epigenetic changes cause type 2 diabetes, or do the changes occur only after a person has become ill? A new study by researchers at Lund University provides increased support for the idea that epigenetic changes can cause type 2 diabetes.

14 Dec 2023

Yourgene Health Becomes a PacBio Compatible Partner: Enabling PacBio Customers to Optimise Size Selection for Long-Read Sequencing Libraries

Yourgene Health (part of the Novacyt group of companies), a leading international molecular diagnostics group, and PacBio, a leading developer of high-quality, highly accurate sequencing solutions, today announced a collaboration to optimise size selection for long-read sequencing workflows.

From PacBio 20 Nov 2023

Wilmot Researchers Uncover a "Genomic Tug of War" That Influences Decitabine's Effectiveness

Some patients with myelodysplastic syndromes, like acute myeloid leukemia, benefit from a chemotherapy drug called decitabine that stunts cancer growth. But many others are resistant to decatibine's effects or become resistant over time.

17 Nov 2023

Circular Extrachromosomal DNA Linked to Medulloblastoma Relapse and Death

A study of newly created databases of medulloblastoma has found that patients with tumors containing circular extrachromosomal DNA-;loops of DNA found outside of regular chromosomes-;are twice as likely to relapse and three times as likely to die within five years of diagnosis.

15 Nov 2023