Methylcytosine Makes its Mark on RNA MethylationNovember 6, 2013Methylcytosine – It’s not just for DNA anymore. Despite being almost exclusively associated with DNA for decades, methylcytosine (5mC) has recently been shown to be an important base modification in RNA as well. Exploding interest in the RNA version of 5mC, what it does, and how it works, has been sparked by a sharp uptick […]
DNA Methylation Age Prediction Confirms that EpiGenie Staff are Past their PrimeNovember 5, 2013Getting old stinks; literally actually, at least in the EpiGenie office, where the pungent aroma of sports creme lingers the day after softball night. Dr. Steve Horvath (UCLA) published a doozy of a paper, DNA methylation age of human tissues and cell types, in Genome Biology recently that caught mainstream media attention from hacks like us to […]
DNA Methylation in Gene Activation with Dr. Robert WaterlandNovember 5, 2013Dr. Robert Waterland discusses how 3′ CpG island methylation may function as a key developmental activator of gene expression. This interview was shot at the Keystone Symposia’s meeting on Nutrition, Epigenetics and Human Disease, 2013 held in Santa Fe, New Mexico 3′ CpG Island Methylation in Gene Activation Another really interesting project thatI’ve been involved with […]
Natural (Epi)genetic Variation: A Role for Lineage Determining Transcription FactorsOctober 25, 2013The intimate tango between epigenome and evolution has just taken an interesting spin. With 88% of candidate loci from GWAS (genome wide association studies) pointing toward non-coding regions, the potential for acquired epigenetic marks to explain missing heritability, cross generations, and add variety to populations, offers huge potential for understanding natural variation and evolution, which […]
Enhancer Transcribed RNAs No Longer Just Second Banana to PromotersOctober 24, 2013Enhancer regions are starting to come into their own as important members of the epigenome – way more than just add-ons that increase promoter transcription. A new study shows us that the RNA world just won’t stop expanding. Drs. Rao and Yuan from the Blood Center of Wisconsin and Harvard, along with a talented team […]
