Methylation Separates Men from MonkeysJanuary 21, 2014While we may share ‘99% of our genes’ with chimps, some cutting edge research has shown that when it comes to evolution, taking the stance of pure genetic determinism may just make a monkey out of you. The gene bringing today’s lesson? CNTNAP2, one of nature’s largest, with a role in human-specific language abilities and […]
The Next Steps in Chromatin Contact Analysis with Dr. Gerd BlobelJanuary 20, 2014Dr. Gerd Blobel discusses emerging techniques for visualizing the interactions of RNAs and chromatin. The Future of Chromatin Contact Analysis So there are other approaches that people are taking, which is: you use FISH, for example, Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization. And this is a method that can be used to validate interactions that have been […]
Choline Metabolism, DNA Methylation, and Memory with Dr. Steven ZeiselJanuary 20, 2014Dr. Steven Zeisel discusses how maternal intake of choline effects DNA methylation during development, and can lead to better memory. This interview was shot at the Keystone Symposia’s meeting on Nutrition, Epigenetics and Human Disease, 2013 held in Santa Fe, New Mexico Choline Metabolism, DNA Methylation, and Memory So I’m more and more believing that epigenetics […]
Epigenetic Love Triangle of Testicular CancerJanuary 20, 2014Politics makes for strange bedfellows, and now it seems, so does testicular cancer. According to recent research, a trio of vastly different mechanisms all contribute to a carcinogenic epigenetic chain of events involving DNAm, retroviruses, and PIWI/piRNA machinery. PIWI proteins are an Argonaute family protein subclass and have little RNA buddies known as small regulatory PIWI-interacting […]
A DNA Methylation Based Allergy Test is Nothing to Sneeze AtJanuary 14, 2014Putting the Polar Vortex’s deep freeze behind us, we can start looking forward to Spring and all it’s environmental luxuries, like sunshine, blooming flowers…and allergies. Seasonal hayfever is a fact of life for many, but scientists have now developed a way to use DNA methylation in CD4+ T-Cells to predict who’s at risk. According to […]
