DNA Methylation in Cancer Goes the Distance via EnhancersMarch 14, 2013We like having all the important things close by—a stash of chocolate, a latte, and the remote control. But sometimes important things are far away. Take enhancers, for example. Enhancers are often pretty far from the genes whose transcription they are “enhancing.” And now, it turns out that DNA methylation at these enhancers can affect […]
miRNAs that Bind Coding Sequences are Specialized for Inhibiting TranslationJanuary 28, 2013We all have our specialties—maybe yours is in histone modifications or maybe you can name every American Idol winner. In any case, miRNAs have some specialization too. Researchers now say that they’ve figured out what miRNAs that bind within the CDS, or coding sequence, of an mRNA do—they specialize in inhibiting translation. Most studies talk […]
MBD-SNP Analysis Shows that Prostate Cancer is PersonalJanuary 28, 2013These days, everyone wants to stand out. Just look at Lady Gaga and Nicki Minaj—in fact, you can’t not look at them. It turns out that metastatic prostate cancer tumors also stand out from patient to patient, as long as you know where to look. A team of Johns Hopkins researchers used methyl-binding enrichment and […]
Hypermethylation in miRNA 26a Provides New Route in Prostate Cancer ProgressionDecember 12, 2012There’s usually more than one right way to get where you want to go. Unless of course, you’re using Apple Maps, then all routes are questionable, but at least have a pretty interface. It turns out there are at least two ways to wind up with prostate cancer, and neither are that attractive—having a gene […]
DNA Hypermethylation of CpG Islands Doesn’t Contribute to Cancer Progression?October 9, 2012And in another example of turning conventional wisdom on its head, researchers from Scotland report that aberrant DNA hypermethylation of CpG island (CGI) promoters does not contribute to cancer development via silencing. Generally, those genes are already repressed before cancer even starts. Researchers have noticed for a long time that many genes’ CGI promoters are […]
New Apps: Interactive Epigenomic Data Browser and DNAm Data ToolkitsOctober 4, 2012Apple may have bombed their latest Maps integration, but the Epigenome mapping consortia out there are making it look easy by pumping out datasets by the server full. So it only makes sense that there needs to be robust software to help researchers make sense of it all. Two new papers in Genome Biology offer […]
More than Methyltransferases: DNMTs Run a Reverse on 5hmCAugust 20, 2012New research out of Taiwan has found some familiar enzymatic faces are involved in the pathway from 5hmC to cytosine. A talented team of scientists recently showed that two members of the DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) family, DNMT3a and DNMT3b are more than just methyltransferases; they fill a role as dehydroxymethylases as well. It has already […]
Redefining DNA Methylation in Cancer with Dr. Andrew FeinbergAugust 1, 2012Dr. Andrew Feinberg discusses how recent events are reshaping the way his team thinks about DNA methylation in cancer. This interview was shot on campus at Johns Hopkins University. This video was brought to you by epigenetics supporters at EMD Millipore. Redefining DNA Methylation in Cancer Well, there are a number of things I’m […]
DNMTs Determine Radiation Sensitivity of Cancer Stem CellsJune 27, 2012Radiation therapy usually works well against cancer, but some cells that survive the blast can divide and become unstable (cancerous) much later on, causing a relapse. Researchers initially thought that DNA hypomethylation was to blame for “delayed radiation-induced genomic instability,” but a new study in Epigenetics, August 2012 shows that, at least for embryonic stem […]
Ontario Cancer Institute Epigenetic Research PositionsJune 17, 2012News reports tell us how tough the job market is lately, so we’re doing our part for the global economy by posting these two new epigenetic research positions that the Ontario Cancer Institute (OCI) is looking to fill. Who knows? Maybe one of them is perfect for you. Postdoctoral Research Fellow or Research Associates – […]
