DNA and Histone H3K9 Methylation Often Work AloneJune 14, 2011Nature is a master of using specific tools for specific jobs, so it’s not too surprising that DNA methylation and SETDB1/H3K9 methylation work on different sets of genes, as University of British Columbia researchers report. But occasionally those tools are more like a Swiss Army knife, like SETDB1, which also methylates H3K9s near endogenous retroviruses […]
Meet LinDA: Single tube ChIP DNA AmplificationJune 10, 2011In the movies, it’s never a problem for CSI techs to get DNA information from the tiniest speck of blood or a just few skin cells. But, for real researchers trying to figure out where transcription factors bind or what’s going on with histones, things are a little harder. That’s why researchers in France, China, […]
CpG Island (R)EvolutionJune 2, 2011CpG islands and their methylation patterns are the epigeneticists bread and butter, and it’s been assumed by many that there are evolutionary reasons behind their existence. New data suggests that not all CpG islands were created equal, and much like Donald Trump’s hair, can’t entirely be explained by natural selection. High-powered researchers from the Weizmann […]
Posttraumatic Stress Risk Altered by DNA MethylationJune 1, 2011After nearly a decade of sending troops into harms way, the U.S. is now coping with the aftermath that those situations can create for our armed forces, like posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). So it’s nice to see progress made towards understanding that condition. While many people are exposed to traumatic events, only a fraction will develop […]
EpiGenie 5-hmC Round-upJune 1, 2011We’re not entirely sure what the enigmatic base variant 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmC) does or why it’s important yet, but we do know it’s become one of our favorite epigenetic topics. Whether you’re a 5-hmC newbie, or just need a quick refresher, you’ll want to check out our favorite articles we’ve featured on the subject. Hydroxymethylcytosine Shakes […]