LincRNA HOTTIP Gives Inside Info on Active Chromatin MarketsMarch 24, 2011In unsteady stock markets these days, who couldn’t use a hot tip to rev up their investments? Apparently, some HOXA genes also need a HOTTIP just as much as any Wall St. insider to help jump-start production. A recent Nature paper from talented teams at Stanford University and UCSF reveals that a long intergenic non-coding […]
Epigenetics in Evolution with Dr Eva JablonkaMarch 13, 2011Dr. Eva Jablonka discusses the role of epigenetics in evolutionary biology. This short take was shot during a break at Keystone Symposia’s meeting on Environmental Epigenomics and Disease Susceptibility held in March 2011 in Asheville, North Carolina. Epigenetics in Evolution Well, what I’m doing really is theoretical work, and I’m mainly interested in the evolutionary […]
Enoxacin: The Undercover Cancer Fighter Rouses Dormant miRNAsMarch 11, 2011By day, it’s known as a mild-mannered antibiotic. But secretly, enoxacin may also have the power to take down cancer, which had remained hidden until now. A study just published in PNAS found that enoxacin, which is normally used to treat urinary tract infections, also prevents the growth and metastasis of colorectal tumors in mice. […]
miRNA Dysregulation Can Be a Real Heart-StopperMarch 11, 2011It’s been pretty well established that miRNAs really get their hands dirty with various affairs of the heart like development and function (not romance and relationships). So it stands to reason that when things start to go haywire with the heart, like a myocardial infarction (MI), that miRNA expression gets out of whack, too. Scientists […]
EpiGenie Interview: Dr. Randy Jirtle on Environment EpigenomicsMarch 10, 2011We caught up with Dr. Randy Jirtle to hear more about his transition from nuclear engineer to imprinting guru and chief publicist for Agouti mice. Dr. Jirtle is a co-organizer for the epigenetics star-studded Keystone Environmental Epigenomics and Disease Susceptibility Meeting that kicks off March 27th, 2011 in Asheville, North Carolina. In the interview he […]
miRNPs Offer Support to miRNA SeedsFebruary 28, 2011Everyone appreciates a little extra support now and then, and a new study shows that miRNAs, or more specifically their seed regions, do too. The report in NAR uncovered that micro-ribonucleoprotein complexes (miRNPs) get miRNAs ready to take care of their mRNA targeting business by shoring up the structure of miRNA seed regions, which is […]
Top Epigenetics Technology Features on EpiGenieJanuary 14, 2011Want to catch up on some of the latest methods, new technologies, and expert technical tricks? You’re in the right place. Here’s a list of our favorite emerging Technology and Methods articles from the last year or so to really jump-start your 2011. Check ‘em out! DNA Methylation Analysis Methylome Analysis Snapshot February 11, 2010. […]
ncRNA: 2010 2nd Half Editor’s FavoritesJanuary 6, 20112010 is over, so we’ve decided to take a look back at some of the exciting non-coding RNA work that came out over the last half of the year on topics like iPS cells, miRNA sponges, cancer and biomarkers. Enjoy! miRNAs in iPS cells An important tool for stem cell research, induced pluripotent stem cells […]
You Are What Your Father Ate, TooDecember 30, 2010Several recent studies have shown that Mom’s diet at conception or during pregnancy can affect the epigenetics of her offspring. Now it’s Dad’s turn to share some of the responsibility as well. A new Cell paper by Oliver Rando at the University of Massachusetts Medical School and colleagues found that male mice fed a low-protein […]
miR-200a Takes Down Cancerous Stem-like TransitionDecember 15, 2010There’s been a deafening buzz lately surrounding a new focus of epigeneticists known as the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). EMT, the gateway between normal epithelial cells and those that gain mesenchymal properties, is thought to be the point where cancer metastasis kicks off. And now a University of Hong Kong team, led by Hongping Xia reports […]