Life Long Changes in DNA Methylation & ncRNAs in Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)May 22, 2013Spring is in the air and with all the great weather who could say no to a nice refreshing beer or upside down margarita shot? Well, if you’re an expecting mother you may just want to hold off. Recent research from Dr. Shiva Singh’s laboratory at Western University (Oh Canada!) has shown that not only […]
Of Mice and Men: Human DNA Methylation Arrays for BothMay 9, 2013Usually when you hear about translational research it involves taking findings from mice and applying them to humans. But Dr. Richard Saffery’s group from the University of Melbourne, apparently inspired by their upside-down geography, decided to celebrate opposite day. They realized that while the mouse is an excellent model for epigenetic research, there is no […]
Epigenetics in Stem Cells TimelineMay 7, 2013Epigenetics and stem cells go hand in pipette. These two research areas have seen explosive growth so we thought we’d highlight some of our favorite highlights.
Bullying and Epigenetics: Stick, Stones, and EpigenomesMay 6, 2013Stress. We all know it’s not good for you. About a decade ago, Dr. Michael Meaney’s and Dr. Moshe Szyf’s research group from McGill University made some pioneering breakthroughs in the field while examining the effects of early life stress on the epigenome of rats. Since then the field has been booming, however most studies […]
Dissolving the Layers in Genetics and Epigenetics with Dr. Adrian BirdMay 1, 2013Dr. Adrian Bird discusses the dissolving barrier between genetics and epigenetics and why he’s cautious about linking epigenetics in heredity. Dissolving the Layers in Genetics and Epigenetics I think what’s most exciting about the field at the moment is that a field called epigenetics is no longer really outside of biology trying to get […]
SCANning Single Molecules to Pinpoint Co-Occurrence of Epigenetic MarksApril 24, 2013Just because two people live on the same street doesn’t necessarily mean they live that close to each other or in the same house, yet that’s what you often have to assume when using ChIP to detect epigenetic modifications. Either that, or you have to use tons of sample and/or a labor-intensive method to figure […]
Epigenetic Mechanisms in AutismApril 24, 2013Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) refers to related neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by deficits in reciprocal communication and social interactions, coupled with restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior, interests and activities. Because ASD tends to run in families, much effort has been spent on genetic analyses to identify genetic variations that either cause or elevate risk for […]
5-hmC as a Cancer DiagnosticApril 24, 2013We’ve heard that DNA methylation can get messed up in cancer, but what about 5-hydroxymethylation (5-hmC)? In a recent report, researchers say that 5-hmC profiles could serve as epigenetic signatures of cancer. The U.K. and Swiss team wanted to know if they could zero in on a signature or biomarker for liver cancer—specifically for liver […]
Genome Editing with the CRISPR/Cas System in ZebrafishApril 24, 2013CRISPR/Cas is getting a lot of attention lately as a way to insert or delete genomic sequences in mammalian cells, but what about in model organisms? A new paper now shows that it works well in zebrafish and suggests it could be a new “go-to” method in other models as well. Last month, we told […]
Guide: Getting Started with Genome-Wide 5-mC and 5-hmC SequencingApril 10, 2013With recent advances in sample preparation, highthroughput sequencing, and bioinformatics, researchers looking to study DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation now have several options for investigating these epigenetic modifications on a genome-wide scale. The following technologies offer varying levels of resolving power, with some offering regional estimates of DNA methylation status, while others provide quantitative values at […]