DM-Seq: A DM You’ll Want to Slide Into for Direct Methylation Sequencing of CytosinesJuly 31, 2023When someone slides into your DMs, it could mean that they are interested in you. Now, there’s a whole new meaning of “DM” for epigeneticists. Direct Methylation Sequencing (DM-seq) nondestructively maps 5mCs directly at single-base resolution with enzymes, and only needs nanograms of sample. There are already lots of ways to get at 5mC, including: Kohli’s […]
Dnmt3bas Is Inactive Dnmt3b’s Nemesis, Keeping Its Levels Low via Transcription and SplicingJuly 10, 2023The main character of many movies has a memorable nemesis who can’t help but try to bring them down and get in their way. Now, it turns out that the nemesis of the inactive Dntm3b isoform may just be development’s best friend. Before differentiation, Dnmt3b transcript levels are kept low, but get a boost at differentiation. […]
DNA Methylation Alterations Highlight Drivers of Aggressive Metastatic TumorsJuly 3, 2023The identification and early detection of events driving the metastasis of primary tumors may help identify therapeutic targets and patients that respond to specific therapeutics. Now, an epigenetic study focused on the spread of colorectal cancer to the liver reports DNA methylation as the spark driving metastatic events. Roadworthy researchers led by Euan J. Rodger, […]
Single-Molecule Methylation Profiles of Cell-Free Cancer DNA—Without Playing GamesJune 14, 2023Sometimes, you have to jump through a lot of hoops to get what you want. Hanlee Ji’s lab (Stanford) must be tired of playing those games because they’ve developed a direct single-molecule methylation nanopore sequencing approach for cell-free DNA (cfDNA) that doesn’t involve bisulfite conversion or even PCR. And yet it works on nanogram or […]
Gene Topology or Gene Expression? NSD1 Chooses Both to Protect the BrainMay 23, 2023We have to make a lot of decisions in our lives, but sometimes when given two choices, going with both can be the right answer. For example, researchers working on neurodevelopment figured out two different phenomena that regulate non-CG methylation in the postnatal brain, but how are they connected? Now, Harrison Gabel’s lab (Washington University […]
eBook: Epigenetics of Cancer & Disease RiskMay 3, 2023The application of epigenetic approaches to disease research is moving quickly and hundreds of new papers are published every year, from virology to neurobiology and cancer. In this eBook, we present short summaries of interesting discoveries that caught our attention in each of these areas. Table of Contents Chapter 1: Epigenetics in Disease Risk Taking […]
Supercharge your DNA Methylation Analysis with the New 900K EPIC v2 MicroarrayApril 17, 2023Some say the bigger the better, while others believe it’s what you do with it that counts! Now, a study reports that the most recent iteration of EPIC DNA methylation (900K EPIC v2) microarrays – which supercharges your insight by taking in both many more informative CpGs and additional chromatin features – supports the efficient […]
Racing to Identify Novel Imprinted Genes in the RatApril 17, 2023While some research develops at “a snail’s pace,” other projects “canter” along briskly; however, a recent study moved faster than a rat up a drainpipe, with a cross-country team leaving their mark on the “rat race” by successfully identifying novel imprinted genes and highlighting the rapid evolution of imprinting in this vital model animal. A […]
One-Stop Sequencing: Simultaneous Genetic and Epigenetic InformationMarch 2, 2023Some shoppers like to browse several stores, whereas others follow the Amazon approach and want to just visit one place to buy everything on their list. The lab of Shankar Balasubramanian’s (University of Cambridge) must be in that second group because they developed a sequencing method that is a true one-stop extravaganza. It rings up […]
DNA Methylation Editing Provides Evidence for Transgenerational Epigenetic Inheritance in MammalsFebruary 26, 2023While we have become familiar with the link between DNA methylation and disease, an exciting epigenetic editing study now reports how DNA methylation contributes to transgenerational epigenetic inheritance in mammals and influences disease-associated traits across generations! In their previous study, a talented team led by Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte at the Salk Institute for Biological […]