Redefining Cancer and Stem Cell Reprogramming: Epigenetic Modulators, Modifiers, and MediatorsApril 9, 2016Back in 2006, Andrew Feinberg & Co. brought forth a review that pioneered the concept of tumor progenitor genes, which are genes involved in stem cell reprogramming and cancer. These tumor progenitor genes are epigenetically deregulated at the earliest stage of cancer. The epigenetic variation occurs before mutations, can be seen in normal tissue surrounding […]
Single-Molecule Imaging of 5hmC and 5mC Grabs the Bigger Picture with Less DNAApril 6, 2016We all know the old saying “Good things come in pairs”, and when you’re only examining one member of a dynamic duo, sometimes you can miss the key contribution of the trusty sidekick. Attesting to the above, a talented team from Stanford show off a clever new technique to simultaneously image 5mC and 5hmC on […]
Prenatal Exposure to Smoking is Associated with a Long-Term Mark on CpG MethylationApril 6, 2016Pregnancy is a sensitive period for a developing embryo/fetus where cues from the environment are incorporated into the epigenome where they can have long-term implications. While certain prenatal exposures, like alcohol and smoking, are well known to produce a number of negative health outcomes, they remain the largest cause of preventable birth defects and are […]
Zika Virus Infection of Neural Progenitors Linked to Brain AbnormalitiesApril 1, 2016The sight of newborn infants with radically reduced brain sizes (microcephaly) has seized attention worldwide and thrust the Zika virus into the limelight as the probable culprit. Zika spreads through mosquito bites and belongs to the Flaviviridae virus family, but how does Zika infection cause such devastating abnormalities in developing infants? A multidisciplinary team led […]
Human Haploid ESCs – Half the DNA but Double the Potential?April 1, 2016Eyes, feet, hands, and chromosomes – two of each seems to be the done thing. Indeed, two sets of each chromosome (diploidy) is a general feature in mammals, except when we produce eggs and sperm (meiosis) which contain only one set of chromosomes (haploidy). However, various studies have described the production of embryonic stem cells […]
