epigenetics

Epigenetics and ncRNA Headlines

Get all the latest highlights from the literature and special features covering trending epigenetics, ncRNA, and gene regulation research.

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3D Chromatin Structure’s Special Effects on Transcription

January 25, 2012

Judging from showbiz ad campaigns, their latest motto seems to be “Everything is better in 3D!” Maybe that thought inspired this new study that uncovered how the 3-dimensional structure of chromatin has some very special effects on the regulation of gene transcription. Researchers from the Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS) decided to take a look […]

Microparticles Let miRNAs Cruise the Circulatory Super-Highway

January 23, 2012

MicroRNAs have attracted interest as potential blood biomarkers for various cardiovascular diseases, but researchers haven’t quite figured out how they avoid destruction while in the bloodstream. Sort of like tiny outlaws on the run, while traveling the circulatory super-highway miRNAs must nimbly evade the RNAases that might catch them in order to reach their destination […]

DNA Methylation: 2011 Editor’s Favorites

January 11, 2012

DNA methylation research had a little something for everyone in 2011. Not only was it linked to cancer, diet, post-traumatic stress, socio-economic status and heritability; but more was learned about 5-hydroxymethylcytosine as well. As if that wasn’t enough, two new cytosine variants, 5-formylcytosine and 5-carboxylcytsosine, joined the party this year too. We can’t wait to […]

Technology & Methods: 2011 Editor’s Favorites

January 11, 2012

Without advanced technology, epigenetic research would flounder. (You’d also probably be reading this on a stone tablet, which are really tricky to post on the web.) Check out our favorite improvements in technologies and methods from 2011 that are making sure epigenetic research is staying on the cutting edge. Single Cell Methylation Profiling The Restriction […]

Non-Coding RNA: 2011 Editor’s Favorites

January 11, 2012

Understanding of non-coding RNAs grew by leaps and bounds in 2011, but the more that we learn; the more we get the feeling that this is just the tip of the iceberg. Take a look at some of our favorite articles from the last year that highlights the variety of roles that non-coding RNA play. […]

Chromatin: 2011 Editor’s Favorites

January 11, 2012

Chromatin definitely left it’s mark in 2011, making big advances with applications in cancer, stem cell, environmental, and autism research, just to name a few. Check out our favorite chromatin articles from 2011 to help you get ready for what’s coming in 2012. Histone Harm from Nickel Exposure It’s been known for a while that […]

Valproic Acid Derivatives and Cisplatin: Better Together

January 10, 2012

Like PB&J or Brangelina, some things are just better together. Now a new study suggests that combining derivatives of the histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor valproic acid with the chemotherapy drug cisplatin may kill human lung cancer cells better than either drug alone. HDAC inhibitors such as valproic acid show great promise as treatments for a […]

MiRNA Workout Helps Lower Hypertension

January 10, 2012

Getting the heart pumping with a little exercise is good for the body—it lowers blood pressure and helps fight off heart disease. That makes getting fit a popular New Year’s resolution, but still no one really understands the molecular mechanism that’s behind the scenes. Now, reports show that exercise’s benefits may be due to its […]

Getting Down to Histone Antibody Specifics

December 15, 2011

Histone antibody specificity has been the topic of publications as well as discussions at meetings and conferences (probably water coolers and coffeemakers, too) within scientific community recently. Clearly, antibody specificity is important to researchers, but what are vendors doing to address it? To get an idea of what goes into making better histone antibodies we […]

5fC & 5caC Follow Up Strong in 5hmC Sequel

December 14, 2011

Life was simpler back when there were only four bases. Nowadays researchers studying DNA methylation have to keep track of four methylCytosine derivatives alone, and the research is just starting to heat up. The last couple of years the TET family of proteins has proven effective at catalyzing 5-methylcytosine (5mC) into 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC), apparently as […]