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.

New research identifies internal timepiece that accurately gauge age of human organs and tissues

Everyone grows older, but scientists don't really understand why. Now a UCLA study has uncovered a biological clock embedded in our genomes that may shed light on why our bodies age and how we can slow the process.

21 Oct 2013

HSCI researchers discover on-off switch for gene expression

Harvard Stem Cell Institute researchers have settled a century-old debate over whether occurrence of DNA methylation acts to silence gene expression, or if genes are turned off by other means before they are methylated.

11 Oct 2013

Research delves deeply into genomics of glioblastoma multiforme cases to better target disease

When The Cancer Genome Atlas launched its massively collaborative approach to organ-by-organ genomic analysis of cancers, the brain had both the benefit, and the challenge, of going first.

11 Oct 2013

Epigenetic regulation linked with pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease

New evidence presented at the 26th ECNP Congress linking epigenetic regulation with Alzheimer's disease may one day lead to new early diagnostic tests and even novel treatment options for the most common form of dementia.

7 Oct 2013

Findings may result in better management of chronic depression

Virginia Commonwealth University has received a $3 million grant from the National Institute of Mental Health to study key molecular markers found in DNA that predict chronic depression.

2 Oct 2013

Epigenetic Markers Found For Head And Neck Cancers

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2 Oct 2013

Unique DNA markings on certain genes may 'predict' risk of developing head and neck cancer

Unique DNA markings on certain genes may "predict" the risk of developing head and neck cancer, according to new research led by Queen Mary University of London.

1 Oct 2013

Use of SHOX2 DNA measurement improves cancer staging tools

Findings indicate that assessment of SHOX2 DNA methylation level in lymph node tissue improves the negative predictive value of endobronchial ultrasound with transbronchial needle aspiration, as well as endoscopic lung cancer staging in general.

30 Sep 2013

Sister stem cells display considerable differences despite having identical DNA

Scientists have used a brand new technique for examining individual stem cells to uncover dramatic differences in the gene expression levels - which genes are turned 'up' or 'down'- between apparently identical 'sister' pairs.

27 Sep 2013

VolitionRx enters into distribution agreement with Active Motif for NuQ product line

VolitionRx Limited, a life sciences company focused on developing blood-based diagnostic tests for different types of cancer, today entered into an agreement with Active Motif, a leading provider of kits and reagents to enable epigenetics research.

26 Sep 2013

Epigenetic changes appear to be candidates as early stage biomarkers for Parkinson

Parkinson disease, a neurodegenerative disorder in which both genetic and environmental factors play important roles, has been associated with epigenetic changes (those molecular modifications that alter the behavior of genes without changing the DNA sequence).

26 Sep 2013

Study shows how lifestyle factors can influence metabolism via resulting alterations in DNA

In the course of life, aging processes, environmental influences and lifestyle factors such as smoking or diet induce biochemical alterations to the DNA. Frequently, these lead to DNA methylation, a process in which methyl groups are added to particular DNA segments, without changing the DNA sequence.

21 Sep 2013

Discovery of gene essential for memory extinction could lead to new PTSD treatments

If you got beat up by a bully on your walk home from school every day, you would probably become very afraid of the spot where you usually met him. However, if the bully moved out of town, you would gradually cease to fear that area.

19 Sep 2013

Sequenom announces Certified Service Provider program for technical certification

Sequenom, Inc., a life sciences company providing innovative diagnostic testing and genetic analysis solutions, today announced a Certified Service Provider (CSP) program for the technical certification of selected laboratories offering research services using the Sequenom research-use-only MassARRAY System.

18 Sep 2013

S&P Capital IQ commences Standard & Poor's Factual Stock Report coverage on Epigenomics AG

S&P Capital IQ announced today that it has commenced Standard & Poor's Factual Stock Report coverage on Epigenomics AG.

7 Sep 2013

Bioactive compounds in coffee may prevent prostate cancer recurrence, delay progression

Coffee consumption is associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer recurrence and progression, according to a new study by Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center scientists that is online ahead of print in Cancer Causes & Control.

27 Aug 2013

DLBCLs resistant to chemotherapy can be reprogrammed to respond using azacitidine

A phase I clinical trial showed diffuse, large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCLs) resistant to chemotherapy can be reprogrammed to respond to treatment using the drug azacitidine, according to a study published in Cancer Discovery, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.

17 Aug 2013

Study shows how bioactive component in soy foods plays a role against colon cancer

University of Illinois scientists have evidence that lifelong exposure to genistein, a bioactive component in soy foods, protects against colon cancer by repressing a signal that leads to accelerated growth of cells, polyps, and eventually malignant tumors.

6 Aug 2013

Epigenetic changes induced by ADO therapy prevent epilepsy progression

Epilepsy is characterized by recurrent seizures that present in many different ways. In some cases epileptic patients exhibit a progressive increase in both frequency and severity of seizures. Epigenetic changes such as DNA methylation have recently been implied as an underlying cause of several neurologic disorders, including epilepsy.

26 Jul 2013

Silk implants placed in brain of animals may help stop progression of epilepsy

Silk has walked straight off the runway and into the lab. According to a new study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, silk implants placed in the brain of laboratory animals and designed to release a specific chemical, adenosine, may help stop the progression of epilepsy.