Webinar: Using CRISPR/Cas9 Technology for Editing Genes in Haematopoietic Cells and MiceJuly 29, 2014Presented by: Dr Marco Herold, Laboratory Head, Molecular Genetics of Cancer Division, The Walter & Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research Abstract: The CRISPR/Cas9 technology provides an easy and rapid way to edit genes in vitro and in vivo. Initial experimental strategies utilized a transient transfection approach to modulate genes in vitro, but this proved […]
Blame Your Old Man: Age-Related Sperm Methylation Changes May Up Disease OddsJuly 24, 2014Delayed parenthood in developed countries means more old dads. Who cares you ask? You should, as this trend doesn’t just increase early morning traffic at Starbucks, it can also increase the incidence of autism, bipolar disorders, schizophrenia, some forms of cancer, or other disorders that accompany the offspring of older fathers. Way to go Dad; […]
Webinar – Bringing ChIP Seq Data into Focus: Advanced Normalization StrategiesJuly 23, 2014If you’ve ever struggled to make sense of your ChIP Seq data, then check out this webinar presented by our colleagues at Active Motif, to get some ideas on how to bring some order to the chaos of ChIP-seq. Presented by Brian Egan, Ph.D, Epigenetic Services Manager at Active Motif Normalization of ChIP-seq Data Today, […]
Fetal Undernourishment Creates Temporary Transgenerational EffectJuly 11, 2014Transgenerational epigenetic inheritance is one hot topic, and it has long been shrouded in skepticism, but a number of cases and mechanistic insights into transgenerational epigenetic inheritance have helped molecular biology move past the limits of genetic determinism. Now a team from the University of Cambridge show that fetal nourishment results in a transgenerational epigenetic effect, rather than true […]
Reaction Biology Scores NIH Grant for Epigenetic Drug DatabaseJuly 11, 2014Epigenetic databases are one of of our favorite futuristic tools and now a time traveling crew from Reaction Biology Corporation (RBC) land a grant from the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) to create an impressive database of epigenetic drug interactions. The team at RBC is undertaking a colossal effort examining a library of 1,400 compounds, including almost every FDA approved drug. […]
Cesarean Alters DNA Methylation in Infant Blood Stem CellsJuly 9, 2014There’s no denying that the process of giving birth is an unforgettable experience for those involved but now it seems the labor of love could also be important for programming an infants development. Researchers from the Karolinska Institutet (Sweden) drop some knowledge about the mechanosensitive nature of DNA methylation and show that birth via Caesarean Section (CS) […]
Keeping Up with the TET Enzyme Family and DNA DemethylationJuly 9, 2014That wacky TET enzyme family is at again, but rather than being caught in some compromising positions with DNA or cheating on Cytosine; this time our favorite enzyme family is slacking off, or as they call it ‘working smart’ and splitting up important active DNA demethylation work. Researchers at the Mayo Clinic provide novel insight into how the TET […]
Going Global with DNA Methylation AnalysisJune 24, 2014It’s human nature to get enthralled by the latest, shiny new technology on the market, but sometimes a more established approach is just as effective. We recently connected with our friends at Zymo Research who point out that for DNA methylation analysis, researchers may not always need all of NGS’s bells and whistles, especially when […]
An Introduction to Epigenetic Editing with Dr. Marianne RotsJune 23, 2014Dr. Marianne Rots, Professor of Molecular Epigenetics and Head of Epigenetic Editing Laboratory at University of Groningen, Netherlands provides an informative overview of the current state of epigenetic editing approaches. Intro to Epigenetic Editing Epigenetic editing exploits the two main characteristics of epigenetics. On the one hand, epigenetic marks are heritable. This means the epigenetic […]
How Fatty Acids Alter the EpigenomeJune 22, 2014It’s is easy to blame our parents and their epigenetics whenever we’re struggling to squeeze into our summer swimwear, but a brand new study illustrates how our own dietary choices have a big impact on health. A team from Lund University have shown just how eating fatty acids is not only bad for your waistline, […]
