Low-Pass WGBS of Newborn Dried Blood Spots: A Methylome-Wide Role for the RUNX1 Super-Enhancer in Down SyndromeOctober 23, 2020While collecting blood spots may seem like a hobby best left for a TV serial killer like Dexter Morgan, a novel low-pass whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) approach has shown that newborn dried blood spots are more than just a trophy. Their entire methylome can be assayed to answer enticing epigenomic enigmas. DNA methylation array studies have […]
X Marks the Spot for Neurodevelopment in the Autism Spectrum Disorder Cord Blood MethylomeOctober 19, 2020Every good pirate knows that X marks the spot on their treasure map, but what’s one to do when it’s surrounded by the dangers of uncharted territory? Thankfully, when it comes to the unexplored regions of the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) DNA methylome, whole genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) has illuminated the way to the X chromosome […]
Multi-omic Analyses Highlight an Epigenetic Treatment Strategy for Early-stage Alzheimer’sOctober 19, 2020Given the unfortunate failure of many treatment strategies for late-stage Alzheimer’s disease, researchers recently sought to gain some fresh new perspective from multiple angles by mounting a three-pronged transcriptomic, proteomic, and epigenomic attack to decipher the mechanisms controlling disease progression. Excitingly, the team behind this study now highlight the possibility of an early-stage epigenetic therapy […]
Racing Against the Epigenetic Clock: PRDM8 and Premature AgingOctober 5, 2020Scientists are always working against the clock, and recently, a team led by Wolfgang Wagner (RWTH Aachen University, Germany) used their ever-evaporating time to explore a potential link between telomere shortening and epigenetic clock acceleration in premature-aging associated bone marrow failure syndromes and describe a new disease biomarker! Patients with premature aging and difficult-to-diagnose bone […]
Activity Matters: Enhancing our Understanding of Brain MaturationSeptember 29, 2020While epigenetic studies have shown us that the past sculpts the future, the mechanisms have remained a cognitive conundrum, particularly when it comes the developing brain. Thankfully, a stimulating new study has come forth to show how early-life brain activity flips a switch that establishes cell-type specific enhancers for life. To prime our brains with this […]
The One With All The Brand New Methylation FactorsSeptember 22, 2020Could there BE anymore genes affecting DNA methylation? Actually, yes! We always hear about the main cast of the methylation show, the DNMTs and the TETs, but where are all the supporting actors that attract, repel or otherwise interact with these stars? A new show (study) from the studio (lab) of Bastiaan Heijmans (Leiden University […]
C.elegans Studies Worm into the Fundamentals of Transgenerational Epigenetic InheritanceSeptember 21, 2020While a “bird’s-eye view” of a topic can often provide colossal insight, the opposite perspective can sometimes be just as useful! Recently, two fascinating studies of transgenerational epigenetic inheritance have taken a “worm’s-eye view” of this research area to deepen our understanding of this complex mechanism in the model nematode worm C. elegans. C. elegans […]
TET2 Overtrims the Methylation Hedges at Enhancers in Parkinson’s Disease NeuronsAugust 25, 2020It takes real restraint to prevent a routine hedge trim from turning into a horticultural horror show; and like an overzealous landscaper, new research shows that TET2 may be mowing down the methylome in Parkinson’s Disease (PD) neurons. The cognitive and motor symptoms of PD are caused by the degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons in the […]
Epitranscriptomic tRNA Study Finally Reveals the “Y” of Aggressive Colon TumorsAugust 25, 2020Away with you Holmes, begone Poirot, and bye-bye Nancy Drew, because a terrific team of epigenetic detectives has solved an epitranscriptomic cold case to reveal the “Y” of aggressive colon tumors by linking CpG island promoter DNA hypermethylation of a key epitranscriptomic modifier and a transfer RNA (tRNA) modification to tumorigenesis. Epitranscriptomics includes the modification […]
Exosomal microRNA Roots for Regrowth by Raising Hairs in Retired FolliclesAugust 15, 2020Move over, Rogaine; the pharmacies of the future will carry hair regrowth treatments that contain microRNAs from hair follicle exosomes! There are creams, supplements, lasers and even surgery, but people struggling with hair loss still don’t have a convenient and effective treatment to help them restore their luscious locks. New treatments could involve injecting dermal […]