DNA Methylation News and Research

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DNA methylation is a type of chemical modification of DNA that can be inherited and subsequently removed without changing the original DNA sequence. As such, it is part of the epigenetic code and is also the most well characterized epigenetic mechanism.

Study reveals possible role of hormone oxytocin in hypersexual disorder

A new study of men and women with hypersexual disorder has revealed a possible role of the hormone oxytocin, according to results published in the journal Epigenetics.

23 Sep 2019

Artificial intelligence helps improve diagnosis of head and neck cancers

Researchers from Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin and the German Cancer Consortium have successfully solved a longstanding problem in the diagnosis of head and neck cancers.

12 Sep 2019

Salk researchers develop method to reveal epigenetic features of brain cells

The brain's prefrontal cortex, which gives us our ability to solve problems and plan ahead, contains billions of cells. But understanding the large diversity of cell types in this critical region, each with unique genetic and molecular properties, has been challenging.

10 Sep 2019

DNA methylation closely linked to telomere length

Aging is associated with multiple disease conditions. Recently it has been found that many of these illnesses are linked to the length of the telomeres at the ends of every chromosome. Telomere length (TL) is affected by both genetic and epigenetic contributions.

2 Sep 2019

Cannabis use may alter gene linked to autism in male sperm

Researchers from Duke University Medical centre, Durham, USA have come up with an important study that shows that use of cannabis among men could alter a specific gene in their sperm that is linked to autism. The study titled, “Cannabis use is associated with potentially heritable widespread changes in autism candidate gene DLGAP2 DNA methylation in sperm,” and is published in the latest issue of the journal Epigenetics.

28 Aug 2019

Swallowable balloon device for early detection of Barrett's esophagus receives FDA 510K clearance

Investigators at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center developed the test for early detection of Barrett's esophagus that offers promise for preventing deaths from esophageal adenocarcinoma.

21 Aug 2019

DNA methylation may influence the effects of aspirin in patients with breast cancer

Women with a particular DNA feature may live longer if they take aspirin even before they are diagnosed with breast cancer, a new study found.

13 Aug 2019

Fraunhofer scientists develop method for measuring a person’s biological age

Chemical reactions and molecular modifications change the genome of each and every human over the course of their lifetime.

3 Aug 2019

Single test can predict progression of untreated precancerous cervical disease

A single test for women has been shown to aid in predicting which cases of precancerous cervical disease will become more serious, helping with decisions on whether or not surgery is needed, according to a study led by Queen Mary University of London.

31 Jul 2019

Study provides new insight into how changes in DNA methylation contribute to diseases

More than half of our genome consists of transposons, DNA sequences that are reminiscent of ancient, extinct viruses.

19 Jul 2019

Ancient epigenetic change deactivates some genes linked to cancer

An epigenetic change, a form of DNA control, that deactivates some genes linked to cancer late in human development has been conserved for more than 400 million years, new research led by the Garvan Institute of Medical Research suggests.

11 Jul 2019

Sleep-disordered breathing severity associated with epigenetic age acceleration

Increasing severity of sleep-disordered breathing and sleep disruption are associated with epigenetic age acceleration, according to preliminary results of a new study.

8 Jun 2019

Prenatal exposure to paternal tobacco smoking linked to high asthma risk

Children exposed to paternal tobacco smoking before birth are more likely to develop asthma - and associated changes to immune genes predict the level of risk.

31 May 2019

Study explores associations between daytime sleepiness and epigenetic modifications

Everyone feels tired at times, but up to 20 percent of U.S. adults report feeling so sleepy during the day that it interferes with daily activities, including working, having meals or carrying on conversations.

29 May 2019

Children under 3 years old are most vulnerable to the effects of adversity, study finds

A Massachusetts General Hospital study has found evidence that children under 3 years old are most the vulnerable to the effects of adversity - experiences including poverty, family and financial instability, and abuse - on their epigenetic profiles, chemical tags that alter gene expression and may have consequences for future mental health.

1 May 2019

Prenatal stress may be involved in shaping psychiatric resilience later in life

Maternal stress during or after pregnancy has been repeatedly associated with subsequent psychiatric problems and non-coding 'epigenetic' DNA changes during childhood.

30 Apr 2019

Cannabis, Alcohol and the Epigenome

With the legalization of cannabis in many US states, we explore the epigenetic effects of cannabis, cannabis-derived products, and alcohol.

29 Apr 2019

New review highlights how lifestyle affects our genes

In the past decade, knowledge of how lifestyle affects our genes, a research field called epigenetics, has grown exponentially.

24 Apr 2019

Restoring function of 'misregulated' cancer-fighting genes

Working with human colon cancer cells and mice, researchers led by experts at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center say they have successfully blocked the activity of portions of a protein known as UHRF1 and restored the function of hundreds of cancer-fighting genes that became "misregulated" by the disease.

15 Apr 2019

Johns Hopkins scientists design new cell model of aging-associated colon cancer risk

Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center researchers say a new study of clusters of mouse cells known as "organoids" has significantly strengthened evidence that epigenetic changes, common to aging, play a essential role in colon cancer initiation.

12 Apr 2019