Giving Identity to the Masses: Antisense lncRNA Transcription Facilitates DNA Demethylation to Determine Promoter ChoiceApril 21, 2019As modern technology develops, we grow increasingly connected with one another while also striving to maintain our individual identities. Although some may blame social media for our desire to be unique snowflakes just like everyone else, exciting new research demonstrates a molecular mechanism for individual neuronal identity in the brain that may just be the […]
Not Just Idle Chit-chat! – Histone and RNA Methylation Crosstalk Regulates Gene ExpressionMarch 24, 2019While many see chit-chat and gossip as a tiresome but inevitable part of life, epigenetic eavesdropping has recently demonstrated that the tight regulation of gene expression relies on some close-quarters methylation crosstalk! The molecular back-and-forth uncovered occurs between the transcription elongation-associated H3K36me3 histone modification and the prevalent and essential post-transcriptional N6-methyladenosine (m6A) mRNA modification. So […]
New Sequencing Technique TAPS into Genome-Wide DNA Methylation Profiles Without the BSMarch 12, 2019While trying to uncover the mysteries of the DNA methylation, a lot of BS is often required. And no, we’re not talking about workplace politics but rather sodium bisulfite (BS) conversion. Thankfully, the labs of Chun-Xiao Song and Benjamin Schuster-Böckler at Oxford University (UK) have developed a new “BS-free” approach to uncover the secrets of the […]
Don’t Turn the Other Cheek on Heterogeneity in Buccal Cell SamplesMarch 12, 2019When it comes to brushing, whether it’s your teeth or a cheek swab sample, proper technique is important. Your dentist may have already told you not to brush you teeth too hard, but it turns out how you collect a cheek swab is also important. Buccal epithelial cells are perhaps the most clinically accessible tissue […]
Epigenetic Editing with CRISPR Keeps Crops Crisp in Today’s ClimateFebruary 25, 2019While the crisper drawer of our fridge is the best way to keep our produce fresh, epigenetic editing research now brings forth CRISPR-based manipulation of DNA methylation to keep our crops crisp. This tasty treat comes at you in the form of two new publications from the lab of Steven Jacobsen (UCLA), where the talented team expand […]