Environment, Epigenetics, and DNA

by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei
Posted July 23, 2007 in DNA in General

Epigenetics in mainstream media news! Good Morning America takes a shallow look at lifestyle and genes today and tried to use the jargon of epigenetics, such as “imprint,” without fully explaining or delving into what that means. BBC News did a much better job covering epigenetics in light of obesity last June.

Epigenetics is the study of the mechanisms that affect the interpretation of DNA. Rather than look at changes to the DNA sequence itself, epigenetic changes involve the environment that surrounds DNA, such as the addition of methyl groups that influence when a gene is turned on and off (aka methylation). Here’s what Mariel Esteller of the Spanish National Cancer Institute in Spain has to say about DNA methylation:

DNA methylation by itself is not healthy or harmful. What is harmful is to have an excess or a defect. We as human beings need a certain level of DNA methylation. Without this we might suffer diseases like cancer, cardiovascular disease and maybe Alzheimer’s.

DNA methylation is like the brakes on a car, because it stops genes from running, stops gene activity. When we look at cancer cells under the microscope, we see lots of broken chromosomes

The website Epigenetics? is an excellent resource for learning more with features, interviews, and latest news on epigenetics. And DNA Network member, Trevor Covert, writes Epigenetics News: Discoveries and Advances in the Field of Epigenetics.

Tags: epigenetics, genetics, genes, dna, methylation, genome, genomics

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Pingback by Eye on DNA Links for 24 July 2007

2007-07-24 09:47:06

[...] news cycle continues to feature epigenetics with Nova scienceNOW broadcasting a segment on epigenetics today (July 24). It will also be online [...]

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