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 finding provides fresh hope for women with oestrogen receptor positive breast cancer

A new finding provides fresh hope for the millions of women worldwide with oestrogen receptor positive breast cancer. Australian scientists have shown that a specific change, which occurs when tumours become resistant to anti-oestrogen therapy, might make the cancers susceptible to treatment with chemotherapy drugs.

23 Jul 2013

Epigenome mapping uncovers unique patterns that emerge during generation of brain circuitry

High-resolution mapping of the epigenome has discovered unique patterns that emerge during the generation of brain circuitry in childhood.

6 Jul 2013

Findings uncover epigenomic modification that occurs during brain formation

Changes in the epigenome, including chemical modifications of DNA, can act as an extra layer of information in the genome, and are thought to play a role in learning and memory, as well as in age-related cognitive decline.

5 Jul 2013

Research: People's frontal cortex undergoes a significant change from infancy to adolescence

Experience of parents with their children and teachers with their students demonstrate how kids change their behaviours and knowledge from infancy to adolescence. Until now, little was known of the causes that could lead to these changes.

5 Jul 2013

New research shows that exercise changes expression of innate DNA

Exercise, even in small doses, changes the expression of our innate DNA. New research from Lund University in Sweden has described for the first time what happens on an epigenetic level in fat cells when we undertake physical activity.

4 Jul 2013

Study shows miR-22 plays a key role in breast and blood cancers

A mere 25 years ago, noncoding RNAs were considered nothing more than "background noise" in the overall genomic landscape. Now, two new studies reveal that one of these tiny noncoding molecules - microRNA-22 - plays an outsized role in two types of cancer.

4 Jul 2013

UCSF researchers find that vitamin C may help stem cells, in vitro fertilization

Vitamin C affects whether genes are switched on or off inside mouse stem cells, and may thereby play a previously unknown and fundamental role in helping to guide normal development in mice, humans and other animals, a scientific team led by UC San Francisco researchers has discovered.

2 Jul 2013

Prostate cancer and DNA: an interview with Dr. Jianfeng Xu, Wake Forest School of Medicine

Prostate cancer development is associated with both inherited and acquired genetic alterations. More than 70 inherited genetic variants have been consistently identified in human DNA that may contribute to susceptibility or risk of prostate cancer.

11 Jun 2013

Methylation changes related to immune function can moderate symptoms in schizophrenia patients

A study in Schizophrenia Bulletin is among the first to indicate epigenetic changes related to immune function in schizophrenia. DNA methylation, a process involving the addition of a methyl group to the DNA without changing its sequence, can alter gene expression.

11 Jun 2013

Scientists identify new markers for obesity treatment

Would you be more likely to try a diet and exercise regimen if you knew in advance if it would actually help you lose weight? Thanks to a new report published in the June 2013 issue of The FASEB Journal, this could become a reality.

31 May 2013

Stronger epigenetic changes in estrogen responsive genes linked to postpartum depression

The epigenetic modifications, which alter the way genes function without changing the underlying DNA sequence, can apparently be detected in the blood of pregnant women during any trimester, potentially providing a simple way to foretell depression in the weeks after giving birth, and an opportunity to intervene before symptoms become debilitating.

21 May 2013

Research findings have important implications for developmental and cancer biology

Researchers from Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah have discovered that while the genes provided by the father arrive at fertilization pre-programmed to the state needed by the embryo, the genes provided by the mother are in a different state and must be reprogrammed to match.

10 May 2013

Researchers reveal how genes are turned on and off during early human development

A large, multi-institutional research team involved in the NIH Epigenome Roadmap Project has published a sweeping analysis in the current issue of the journal Cell of how genes are turned on and off to direct early human development.

10 May 2013

Modifications in key epigenetic markers influence human embryonic stem cells

Scientists have long known that control mechanisms known collectively as "epigenetics" play a critical role in human development, but they did not know precisely how alterations in this extra layer of biochemical instructions in DNA contribute to development.

10 May 2013

Details about genomic landscapes of AML and endometrial cancer revealed

Two studies from The Cancer Genome Atlas program reveal details about the genomic landscapes of acute myeloid leukemia and endometrial cancer.

2 May 2013

Analysis identifies 37 RNA molecules that might predict survival in breast cancer patients

A Big Data analysis that integrates three large sets of genomic data available through The Cancer Genome Atlas has identified 37 RNA molecules that might predict survival in patients with the most common form of breast cancer.

30 Apr 2013

Weight loss surgery causes changes in DNA modifications

Gastric bypass surgery can drastically reduce the body weight of obese individuals in a short timeframe. For reasons that are not entirely clear, the surgery also leads to early remission of type 2 diabetes in the vast majority of patients.

12 Apr 2013

Researchers identify HNF1B gene that can increase risk of ovarian cancer

Researchers at Mayo Clinic Cancer Center have identified a novel gene that can contribute to a woman's susceptibility for developing ovarian cancer. Researchers identified the gene, called HNF1B, through large-scale analysis of more than 16,000 women with ovarian cancer and more than 26,000 healthy women.

28 Mar 2013

Inflammation and epigenetics: an interview with Dr Belkina and Dr Denis, Boston University School of Medicine

Inflammation can be thought of as taking two major forms: acute or chronic. Acute inflammation, which can be painful, usually arises quickly and resolves quickly. It accompanies bacterial infections, traumatic injury and is useful to fight infections and promote healing.

28 Mar 2013

Gene LY86 identified as likely contributor to obesity

Food and environment can chemically alter your gene function and scientists have identified a gene that is consistently altered in obesity.

22 Mar 2013

DNA Methylation News and Research

Further Reading

New finding provides fresh hope for women with oestrogen receptor positive breast cancer

Epigenome mapping uncovers unique patterns that emerge during generation of brain circuitry

Findings uncover epigenomic modification that occurs during brain formation

Research: People's frontal cortex undergoes a significant change from infancy to adolescence

New research shows that exercise changes expression of innate DNA

Study shows miR-22 plays a key role in breast and blood cancers

UCSF researchers find that vitamin C may help stem cells, in vitro fertilization

Prostate cancer and DNA: an interview with Dr. Jianfeng Xu, Wake Forest School of Medicine

Methylation changes related to immune function can moderate symptoms in schizophrenia patients

Scientists identify new markers for obesity treatment

Stronger epigenetic changes in estrogen responsive genes linked to postpartum depression

Research findings have important implications for developmental and cancer biology

Researchers reveal how genes are turned on and off during early human development

Modifications in key epigenetic markers influence human embryonic stem cells

Details about genomic landscapes of AML and endometrial cancer revealed

Analysis identifies 37 RNA molecules that might predict survival in breast cancer patients

Weight loss surgery causes changes in DNA modifications

Researchers identify HNF1B gene that can increase risk of ovarian cancer

Inflammation and epigenetics: an interview with Dr Belkina and Dr Denis, Boston University School of Medicine

Gene LY86 identified as likely contributor to obesity

DNA Methylation eBook

Sensing a Healthier Future

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

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