EpiGenie Reviews Non-Coding RNAs and Epigenetic Regulation of Gene ExpressionSeptember 11, 2012In recent years, studies exploring the modulation of gene transcription by non-coding RNAs have definitely been on the rise. This book, Non-Coding RNAs and Epigenetic Regulation of Gene Expression, written by a selection of highly regarded scientists, and edited by Kevin Morris, represents an overview and summary of this important new field to date. It’s […]
Predicting Gene Expression with Chromatin FeaturesSeptember 11, 2012As any weather forecaster can tell you, making accurate predictions is tough. But researchers now report that they’ve confirmed the power of chromatin features to predict gene expression. They’ve also come up with some new insights, too. Sure, some histone mods are associated with transcriptional repression, whereas others typically mark active spots. But many studies […]
Promoters Reach Out to Far -Away ElementsSeptember 11, 2012Now that the Olympic games are over, researchers in the ENCODE consortium have announced that they’ve just finished another Olympic effort of their own—the large-scale mapping of functional elements in the human genome. And just like the flexible “Fierce Five” U.S. women’s gymnastics team, it turns out that the genome is very bendy, looping around […]
Prediction Models Re-Write the Book on Nucleosome Occupancy and miRNA TargetingAugust 23, 2012A pair of newly released papers prove that you don’t always have to run more wet lab experiments to learn something new, you just need to look the data in a different way. The two research groups both used simulations and prediction algorithms, like the ones found on our Epigenetics Databases and Tools list, to […]
Bromodomain Inhibitor is the Male Contraception for the Ladies’ MouseAugust 22, 2012Mice from your backyard to Paris are buzzing with excitement after a team of scientists at Baylor may have paved the way for them to “mingle” with fewer consequences. The research team, led by Martin Matzuk, set out to explore ways to target, BRDT, a testes-specific, and bromo-domain containing protein that plays a key role […]
More than Methyltransferases: DNMTs Run a Reverse on 5hmCAugust 20, 2012New research out of Taiwan has found some familiar enzymatic faces are involved in the pathway from 5hmC to cytosine. A talented team of scientists recently showed that two members of the DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) family, DNMT3a and DNMT3b are more than just methyltransferases; they fill a role as dehydroxymethylases as well. It has already […]
Redefining DNA Methylation in Cancer with Dr. Andrew FeinbergAugust 1, 2012Dr. Andrew Feinberg discusses how recent events are reshaping the way his team thinks about DNA methylation in cancer. This interview was shot on campus at Johns Hopkins University. This video was brought to you by epigenetics supporters at EMD Millipore. Redefining DNA Methylation in Cancer Well, there are a number of things I’m […]
Non-Coding RNAs and Drug AddictionJuly 31, 2012Although a lot of behavioral studies are out there on drug addiction, no one really knows how addiction develops at the molecular level. A new review by researchers in Miami describes lots of evidence from more than 80 studies suggesting that non-coding RNAs, such as microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), might have a […]
RTL-P: Pinpoint 2’-O-methylation in RNAsJuly 31, 2012Yeah, it would be crazy to play hide-and-go-seek with a GPS, night-vision goggles, and a heat-sensing camera. But that’s kind of similar to the pricey, sophisticated laboratory gadgets that researchers currently have to use to spot 2’-O-methylation hiding on RNAs. Now, scientists in China have come up with a much simpler, less expensive way (called […]
Pol II Transcription Slows at 5-Formylcytosines (5caC) and 5-Carboxylcytosines (5fC)July 31, 2012It’s summertime—a time when you just want to take things slow. Researchers now report that 5-formylcytosines (5fCs) and 5-carboxylcytosines (5caCs) like to slow things down, no matter what the season. They say that these mods put the brakes on RNA Pol II transcription and make it less specific. Sure, researchers have known about 5fC and […]