The appreciation of the mitochondrion as “the powerhouse of the cell” has become as culturally pervasive as some of our favorite memes; however, a powerful new study now shows that signals deriving from this double-membrane-bound ATP-generating organelle represent a major driving force behind alterations to the epigenome. A talented team of researchers from the lab […]
- Chromatin
Single Cell ChIP-Seq Seeks Out Cellular Subgroups
When it comes to love, being single has its pros and cons. This is also true for cells, single cells give a lot high-resolution picture, but it’s often very difficult to get enough material. While other single cell methods have flourished with low inputs, studies of the heterogeneity of chromatin states by single cell chromatin […]
Enhancer Hypomethylation in Alzheimer’s Disease Brain Paves the Way for Cell Death
When it comes to understanding the epigenetics of aging, Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) has enhanced our knowledge in countless ways. This neurodegenerative disease has taught us to embrace healthy aging, and some surprising players have emerged from the examination of DNA methylation. Studies have uncovered a role for enhancers in AD; however, investigations into the consequences of DNA methylation at these […]
Heterochromatin Finds an Alternative Way to Lengthen Telomeres
We recently advised our readers to “think different” when it came to the epigenetic control of maintenance in alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) cells, and now, a team of “out-of-the-box” thinkers from the lab of Jérôme Déjardin (Université de Montpellier, France) have described an unconventional link between ALT and telomeric heterochromatin formation. Previous results have […]
SETing up SETD2 as a Key Player in Oocyte Development
While we’ve been fascinated by how epigenetic alterations during development SET the stage for adult life, in order to fully understand this relationship, we also have to examine how the stage for the development is SET by our epigenome. The epigenome of the oocyte is reprogrammed during early embryonic development; however, some marks remain at […]