Free Short Course: Epigenetic Control of Gene ExpressionJune 7, 2013If you’re new to the field or just want to brush up on an aspect of epigenetics that you don’t follow that often, Dr. Marnie Blewitt from the University of Melbourne, Australia is hooking you up with a free, six-week crash course. This course will cover the principles of epigenetic control of gene expression, how epigenetic control […]
The Consequences of RNAs Alternative Polyadenylation LifestyleJune 7, 2013First it started enjoying the ‘occasional’ methylation. Then it crossed the LINE when it ‘borrowed’ its good buddy’s machinery. And now it seems like RNA just can’t stop. It turns out that just like all those hipsters, splicing isn’t the only one to enjoy an ‘alternative’ lifestyle. Researchers from UCLA have shown that polyadenylation wants […]
Epigenetics: Getting to Know the Readers and the Writers with Dr. Jerry WorkmanMay 31, 2013Dr. Jerry Workman shares some of his thoughts on the next steps in digging into biochemistry of epigenetic mechanisms to understand what’s reading and what’s writing. Epigenetics: Getting to Know the Readers and the Writers I think the most exciting aspect about epigenetics at this time is the potential it provides for some fantastic […]
RNA-Mediated Epigenetic Heredity Gets by with a Little Help from its FriendsMay 30, 2013Just like the Beatles, evolution appears to work best in harmony with all its members. RNA-mediated inheritance, a key component of the epigenetic mix, has quickly risen into the spotlight of mechanisms for non-Mendelian heredity. Dr. Minoo Rassoulzadegan’s group (University of Nice Sophia Antipolis, France) has previously shown that small non-coding RNAs can cause heritable […]
DNA Methylation in Twins Changes Early, Like Really EarlyMay 30, 2013Like anyone else, identical and fraternal twins change a lot as they get older. Just look at Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen (fraternal twins, believe it or not). Perhaps not-so-surprisingly, researchers are reporting that DNA methylation patterns of identical and fraternal twins change a lot in their first 18 months. The kicker is that even though […]
