epigenome

Although epigenetic changes were long thought to largely act on the genome, rather than as part of it, research is now showing that these patterns can, directly or indirectly, change the genetic code.

Evidence is mounting that epigenetic marks on DNA can influence future generations in a variety of ways. But how such phenomena might affect large-scale evolutionary processes is hotly debated.

A CRISPR-based system that reverses epigenetic changes caused by adolescent binge drinking reduces adult addiction-like behaviors in rats, a study finds, suggesting that an epigenomic approach could someday help treat people with alcohol use disorder.

In mice, epigenetic marks made on histones during infancy influence depression-like behavior during adulthood. A drug that reverses the genomic tags appears to undo the damage.

Computational biologist Jinghui Zhang of St. Jude realized scientists could work more efficiently with tools and genomic data shared on the cloud.

Using CRISPR and other tools, scientists are modifying DNA methylation, histone marks, and other modifiers of gene expression to understand how they affect health and disease.

The PsychENCODE project delves into the DNA, RNA, and protein changes related to brain development and neuropsychiatric disorders, but researchers caution it’s just a first step toward treatment.

The variation may help explain why stocked salmon don’t fare as well in the ocean.

Researchers attempt to estimate how much of the human genome’s methylation patterns can be attributed to genetic ancestry.

The use of targetable chromatin modifiers has ushered in a new era of functional epigenomics.

Three studies identify roles for N6-methyladenosine in algae, worms, and flies.

Researchers apply the genome-editing technology to alter histones at distant gene enhancers, controlling gene expression.

A National Institutes of Health-funded consortium publishes 111 reference maps of DNA and histone marks.

People with the neurodegenerative disease are more likely to have certain epigenetic patterns than those without.

A transgene designed to attract methylation to the promoter of a tumor-suppressor gene leads to tumorigenesis in a mouse model. 

Mice undernourished during pregnancy can transmit the effects of such nutritional stress to their sons’ germ cells, epigenetically.  

The epigenetic modification of brain cells undergoes great shifts over the course of mouse and human development.

While exploring the genetics of a rare type of tumor, Stephen Baylin discovered an epigenetic modification that occurs in most every cancer—a finding he’s helping bring to the clinic.