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Bladder epithelial tissue, where cell junctions are shown in green and nuclei in blue. This was grown in vitro from cells taken from mice with chronic cystitis.
Bladder ‘Memory’ Influences Urinary Tract Infection Recurrence in Mice
Urinary tract infections leave permanent epigenetic marks in the mouse bladder epithelium, reprogramming its response to subsequent infections, a study finds.
Bladder ‘Memory’ Influences Urinary Tract Infection Recurrence in Mice
Bladder ‘Memory’ Influences Urinary Tract Infection Recurrence in Mice

Urinary tract infections leave permanent epigenetic marks in the mouse bladder epithelium, reprogramming its response to subsequent infections, a study finds.

Urinary tract infections leave permanent epigenetic marks in the mouse bladder epithelium, reprogramming its response to subsequent infections, a study finds.

histone modification

Artist’s rendition of orange DNA coiled around a blue histone protein.
“Cryptic Transcription”: How Aging Cells Express Fragments of Genes
Kamal Nahas, PhD | Apr 6, 2023 | 4 min read
Aging cells with weakened gene regulation spuriously transcribe RNAs, but their impact on health and longevity still needs to be examined.
Illustration showing epigenetic changes
Infographic: Questions Linger About Epigenetic Inheritance
Catherine Offord | Apr 4, 2022 | 3 min read
Some studies suggest that associations between the health of children and the experiences of their parents or grandparents may be due to epigenetic mechanisms, but confounding factors challenge this interpretation.
VAI
One Sequence, Many Variations
Van Andel Institute | 5 min read
Andrew Pospisilik explores the epigenetic changes that give organisms the plasticity to change in response to their environments.
Illustration showing two hands join, father or mother with child
Does Human Epigenetic Inheritance Deserve a Closer Look?
Catherine Offord | Apr 4, 2022 | 10+ min read
The concept of epigenetic inheritance has long been controversial. Some researchers hope that new data on cross-generational effects of environmental exposures will help settle the debate.
A view of the nucleus of a cell with DNA in blue, RNA in pink, and associated proteins in yellow and purple
DNA Methylation Influences Replication and Genome Organization
Abby Olena, PhD | Sep 22, 2021 | 3 min read
A study links the loss of DNA methylation across the genome—as is common in cancer—to the disruption of the 3-D compartments that organize the genome and to the timing of DNA replication.
VAI
Exposed: Environmental Echoes in Health - A Special Podcast Series
The Scientist’s Creative Services Team and Van Andel Institute | 2 min read
Epigenetic experts discuss how environment and diet leave lasting impressions on the human genome.
Illustration showing how yeast is used to study histone modifications
Infographic: A Yeast Model for Studying Histone Modifications
Amanda Heidt | Sep 1, 2021 | 1 min read
The methodology involves modifying histones and displaying them on the cell surface for analysis.
Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast, 3D illustration. Microscopic fungi, baker's or brewer's yeast, are used as probiotics to restore normal flora of intestine
Yeast “Mini Labs” Help Researchers Probe Histone Modifications
Amanda Heidt | Sep 1, 2021 | 3 min read
By harnessing a unique property of yeast, scientists can synthesize histones and the enzymes that modify these proteins, which spool DNA and influence gene expression.
early-life stress, histone, chromatin, epigenetics, epigenetic modification, methylation, DNA, protein, stress, adversity, mice, genetics, genomics
Early-Life Stress Exerts Long-Lasting Effects Via Epigenome
Asher Jones | Mar 18, 2021 | 5 min read
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.
the Lasker award trophy
Lasker Awards Recognize Work on Histones, Anesthesia, RNA
Shawna Williams | Sep 11, 2018 | 2 min read
This year’s winners are C. David Allis, Michael Grunstein, John Glen, and Joan Steitz.
As Bees Specialize, So Does Their DNA Packaging
Shawna Williams | Sep 11, 2018 | 3 min read
A study of chemical tags on histone proteins hints at how the same genome can yield very different animals.
Epigenetic Alterations Determine Ant Behavior
Bob Grant | Jan 4, 2016 | 1 min read
Histone modifications to the DNA of Florida carpenter ants can turn soldiers into foragers.
Gene Linked to Pain Insensitivity
Kerry Grens | May 27, 2015 | 1 min read
People with a congenital disorder that makes them unable to feel pain have mutations in a histone-modifying gene. 
Hidden Menace
John Frater, Genevieve Martin, and Matthew Pace | May 1, 2015 | 10+ min read
Curing HIV means finding and eradicating viruses still lurking in the shadows.
Hide and Seek
The Scientist Staff | Apr 30, 2015 | 1 min read
Oxford researcher John Frater explains the strategy of targeting viral reservoirs to beat HIV.
Pushing the Limits
Marissa Fessenden | Feb 1, 2015 | 8 min read
A guide to the newest techniques for examining epigenetics in single cells
Mighty Modifications
Beth Marie Mole | Apr 1, 2013 | 2 min read
Histone acetylation levels keep intracellular pH in check.
The Epigenetic Lnc
Kevin V. Morris | Oct 1, 2012 | 1 min read
Long non-protein-coding RNA (lncRNA) sequences are often transcribed from the opposite, or antisense, strand of a protein coding gene. In the past few years, research has shown that these lncRNAs play a number of regulatory roles in the cell. For exa
Boosting Antipsychotic Drugs
Ed Yong | Aug 5, 2012 | 3 min read
Chemicals that change the way DNA is packaged could improve the effects of current antipsychotics.
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