Epigenetics Reminds Adipocytes of their Obese Past After Weight LossDecember 8, 2024The age-old saying “a moment on the lips, forever on the hips” just got a modern update thanks to an epigenome-based study of obesity! New research now describes the existence of epigenetic memory in the adipose tissue of obese individuals that persists after significant weight loss. A team led by Ferdinand von Meyenn (ETH Zurich) […]
CpGT and MethylGPT – Large AI Models Lay the Foundation for Advanced DNA Methylation AnalysisNovember 27, 2024Vast amounts of DNA methylation data have paved the way for epigenetic clocks to significantly advance aging research; however, generative artificial intelligence (AI) may have now laid the foundation for more transformative insights into DNA methylation. Two preprints report the application of transformer architecture to develop “foundation” or large AI models trained on vast DNA […]
DNA Methylation and Chromatin Map of the Developing Brain Revealed with Single-Cell MultiomicsNovember 22, 2024Maps can tell you where to go and what landmarks you’ll find along the way. In the same way, a new multiomic map describes how DNA methylation and 3D chromatin conformation changes in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus as the human brain develops. The map could help researchers determine the heritability of neuropsychiatric conditions, such […]
Psychosis Moderates the Association Between Cannabis Use and DNA MethylationOctober 28, 2024Analyzing the DNA methylation alterations induced by cannabis use has provided a wealth of evidence of potential harms, with recent studies focusing on neurodevelopmental problems after prenatal exposure, increased risk of adverse health outcomes, and accelerated epigenetic aging. Now, a study reports the first epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) exploring the interplay between cannabis use, DNA […]
Epigenetic Two-factor Authentication Secures Male Fertility from the Insider Threat of TransposonsOctober 7, 2024Two-factor authentication represents a modern approach to securing our digital lives from outside threats; however, research now suggests that this concept may not be so modern. A new study now reveals that male germ cells employ a piRNA-mediated epigenetic “two-factor authentication” strategy to secure the precisely timed DNA methylation-induced silencing of insider threats that impact […]
Metformin Keeps Aging Primate Epigenomes “In Form”September 30, 2024Those of us feeling the all too familiar effects of time may look to cut back on certain “excesses” and keep fit (in both body and mind) to maintain a healthy aging process. Now, a team of fitness enthusiasts has revealed that long-term treatment with the diabetes drug metformin maintains an aging population of monkeys […]
scEpiAge Brings Single-cell Resolution to Epigenetic Clock HeterogeneitySeptember 23, 2024DNA methylation-based epigenetic clock construction has generally relied on bulk datasets representing findings from thousands or millions of cells, and now, a new single-cell epigenetic clock age predictor known as scEpiAge may help to resolve the impact of heterogeneity. Can improved resolution offer more profound insight into the aging process? A team led by Marc […]
Epigenetic Machinery Fights Back! SARS-CoV-2 RNA Modifications Inhibit Replication and PathogenesisSeptember 3, 2024Recent reports have highlighted how SARS-CoV-2 infection and the resulting COVID-19 can turn epigenetics against us; however, new research now reveals that the epigenetic machinery can also help us fight back against viral attacks – in the guise of specific RNA modifications. A team of epigenetic tusslers guided by Yu Chen (Wuhan University) knew of […]
Chrom-seq Uses ‘Readers’ to See Which RNAs Put Epigenetic Marks on ChromatinAugust 20, 2024Reading glasses, or “readers,” help you see text and other fine details up close. Inspired by our desire for increased resolution, a talented team is using histone readers to more clearly see which long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) interact with particular histone modifications. Their method, called Chrom-seq, doesn’t require highly pure antibodies or crosslinking, making it […]
Histone Serotonylation: From Boosting Moods to Regulating Brain Tumor ProgressionAugust 19, 2024While many know that serotonin impacts mood and emotions, a smattering of studies have found that this neurotransmitter can modify histones and regulate gene expression. Now, fascinating new research reveals that histone serotonylation contributes to the regulation of aggressive brain tumors, playing a role in the complex interactions taking place between neuron–tumor signaling, epigenetics, and […]
