Articles tagged with Epigenetics
Dr. Maria Margarita Behrens' work deciphers the molecular signatures defining every human brain cell type, shedding light on neural development and psychiatric disorders. Her single-cell epigenomic atlases will enable researchers to target specific cell types with unprecedented precision.
A new study introduced epigenetic clocks in skeletal muscle from an Asian population, identifying DNA methylation sites associated with age and developing accurate age prediction models using NGS and SBE. The findings offer a reliable method for estimating age and its potential applications in forensic science.
Research found that older women with younger biological ages were more likely to experience increased depressive symptoms during the pandemic. The study suggests that this may be due to reduced social connections and daily routines, which can affect mental health.
Chromatin accessibility maps reveal that MDS stem cells gradually lose their normal identity and acquire characteristics typical of myeloid progenitors. A 'progenitor score' developed by the team tracks cell movement toward a progenitor-like state, correlating with disease severity and prognosis.
Dr. Eric J. Nestler's research has fundamentally reshaped global understanding of addiction and depression by focusing on resilience rather than pathology. His laboratory identified distinct molecular, cellular, and circuit changes in resilient brains that maintain normal behavioral function despite exposure to drugs or stress.
Researchers at Pitt and UPMC Children's Hospital discovered a biomarker of complicated pediatric traumatic brain injury, which may serve as dynamic indicators of post-injury recovery. The study found that children with TBI had a different epigenetic profile compared to those with orthopaedic injuries.
Researchers identified a molecular mechanism linking early-life environments with memory by activating AP-1, which regulates genes involved in neuronal plasticity and learning. Early-life experiences produce long-lasting modulation of AP-1 activity, boosting gene networks that strengthen neuronal connections.
Researchers at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center discovered that inflexible DNA within nucleosomes regulates the positioning of INO80, a chromatin remodeling complex. This unique mechanism allows INO80 to position itself on the surface of nucleosomes at the right location.
Cancer researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have identified key proteins that determine the behavior of two hard-to-treat carcinomas, pancreatic cancer and tuft cell lung cancer. These findings could lead to new therapies targeting specific vulnerabilities in these cancers.
Scientists at the Salk Institute have discovered a new mode of epigenetic targeting in plant cells, where specific DNA sequences guide DNA methylation patterns. This finding has major implications for understanding epigenetic regulation and could inform future strategies for epigenetic engineering.
Researchers identified distinct epigenetic signatures in cord blood linked to increased schizophrenia and other neurodevelopmental conditions. Newborns with higher genetic susceptibility showed differences in DNA methylation patterns, especially in immune-related regions.
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes and UCSF have identified the genetic switches that regulate FOXP3 levels in human and mouse cells. In humans, multiple enhancers work together to keep FOXP3 active, while a repressor keeps it off in conventional T cells. This discovery has important implications for developing immune therapies.
A novel methylation analysis method, called UMBS-seq, achieves both accuracy and gentleness, unlocking more reliable cancer biomarker detection. The method outperforms existing methods for 5-methylcytosine detection with low input DNA, preserving DNA integrity.
PRMT5 promotes proliferation, metastasis, therapy resistance, and an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment in various solid malignancies. Targeting PRMT5 with inhibitors has shown promising therapeutic effects in several cancers.
A new gene editing technique, P3a mutagenesis, achieves near 100% success in creating precise DNA mutations. This method simplifies protein engineering, accelerating biomedical research and reducing costs.
A new study found that maternal type 1 diabetes is associated with specific epigenetic marks in the child, which affect immune function and expression of genes involved in autoimmune diseases. These changes appear to protect against islet autoimmunity, a precursor to type 1 diabetes.
Microbial metabolites from the gut microbiome influence gene expression, cellular function, and host health. The MDME axis proposes a unified theoretical framework explaining this complex dialogue.
Huimin Zhang, a UC Riverside assistant professor, has received a $150,000 grant to study the role of HELIOS in epigenetic regulation of T cell aging and TFH cell differentiation. Her research aims to understand how aging affects the immune system and develop new vaccines and therapies to restore immune vitality in older adults.
Lactate accumulation drives lactylation, a critical post-translational modification promoting tumor proliferation, metastasis, and therapy resistance. Emerging strategies targeting lactate production, transport, and lactylation hold significant anticancer potential.
Acute lung injury is characterized by diffuse inflammation and intractable hypoxemia, with N6-methyladenosine methylation playing a crucial role in its pathogenesis. The review synthesizes findings from multiple studies, highlighting the dynamic nature of m6A methylation and its associated proteins.
Researchers develop CRISPR-based tools to epigenetically silence or boost memory gene Arc, demonstrating its direct impact on memory expression and storage. This breakthrough offers new avenues for exploring memory processing disorders in humans.
The Global Pathogen Analysis Platform (GPAP) will enable low- and middle-income countries to conduct research and surveillance of infectious diseases independently. The platform aims to prevent disease outbreaks from developing into pandemics by detecting genetic sequences of potential pathogens.
A recent study identifies molecular markers in children and adolescents that link childhood maltreatment to long-term brain alterations and mental health outcomes. The researchers found four DNA methylation sites associated with child maltreatment, including the 'master switch' gene FOXP1, which regulates brain development.
Dr. Amin's transformative insights reshape international understanding of depression genetics, identifying novel therapeutic targets and biomarkers for diagnosis and treatment. Her systemic disease model challenges traditional views of depression as a brain disorder.
Long-term exposure to fine air pollutants like PM2.5 can impair metabolic health by disrupting the normal function of brown fat through complex epigenetic changes. The study identified two enzymes, HDAC9 and KDM2B, as key drivers of this process.
Researchers discovered that an enzyme called EZH2 drives triple negative breast cancer cells to divide abnormally, enabling them to spread. Inhibiting EZH2 with drugs like tazemetostat restored order to dividing cells and thwarted the spread of TNBC cells.
Telomeres, which cap chromosomes, are inherited from parents in a parent-of-origin effect, with mothers contributing short telomeres and fathers long ones. This process is linked to cancer risk and aging, and researchers hope to study it further using human genome sequencing.
A study found that people whose fathers began smoking at age 15 or younger show signs of faster biological aging compared to chronological age. This accelerated aging is linked to a higher risk of diseases such as cancer, arthritis, and dementia. The researchers call for stronger efforts to prevent tobacco use in teenagers.
Research from Cornell University found that people with stronger social connections over a lifetime experience slower biological aging. Higher cumulative social advantage was linked to lower levels of inflammation and younger profiles on epigenetic clocks. Sustained social networks built across decades contribute to healthier aging.
A study by Meng Wang and her team found that histone modifications can be transferred from parent to offspring through epigenetic changes, enabling the transfer of longevity markers across generations. This mechanism has implications for understanding transgenerational effects beyond longevity.
A team of researchers led by Dr. Manel Esteller has published a study on the longest-lived person ever recorded, Maria Branyas, who reached 117 years. The analysis reveals a fascinating duality: simultaneous presence of signals of extreme aging and healthy longevity. Despite signs of aging, Branyas had genetic characteristics associate...
A University of Hawaii study reveals how gut microbes interact with human genes, shaping disease risk, aging, and future medical treatments. The review highlights the potential for personalized medicine and precision health strategies tailored to each individual's unique microbial and epigenetic makeup.
Genomic imprinting discovered by Davor Solter and Azim Surani reveals maternal chromosomes contribute essential information missing in paternal chromosomes. This phenomenon, coined genomic imprinting, involves tiny methyl groups attached to DNA's four bases regulating fetal growth and development.
A UIC researcher team led by Dr. Subhash C. Pandey will investigate how long-term alcohol use affects the structure and function of brain cells, aiming to improve targeted treatments for alcohol use disorder. The grant renewal aims to fuel cutting-edge research into cellular interaction in areas key to alcohol addiction.
A new study found that better indoor air quality, proximity to natural spaces, healthy diets and strong social bonds are associated with reduced and better-regulated inflammation in childhood. The study used the Human Early Life Exposome (HELIX) cohort and identified three immune signatures linked to better overall health.
A new study reveals that Alzheimer's progression is characterized by a breakdown of epigenomic stability, leading to compromised compartmentalization and the loss of gene regulation. The research provides insights into the molecular mechanisms driving disease progression and resilience, shedding light on potential new treatments.
Researchers found that faster biological aging is associated with lower scores on digital cognitive tests, particularly among older adults. DNA methylation patterns were used to estimate biological age acceleration, and protein markers PAI1 and ADM showed strong associations with lower cognitive scores.
A new study found a strong association between accelerated epigenetic aging and increased risk of colorectal cancer in postmenopausal women. Lifestyle factors like diet significantly influenced this risk, with healthy diets potentially reducing cancer risk associated with biological aging.
A recent study by researchers at The University of Osaka discovered the crucial role of DNA repair enzyme Polβ in safeguarding the developing brain from harmful mutations. Accumulation of indel mutations near CpG sites may contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders.
Researchers have finally pinned down the genomic, epigenomic, and cellular landscape of the enigmatic arrow worm, connecting its unique genetic markup to specialized cell-types. The study reveals an unprecedented rate of gene genesis and duplication, as well as a unique method of chromosomal organization.
Researchers have developed a new epigenetic editing method using CRISPR technology, which can switch genes back on by removing methyl groups attached to silenced or suppressed genes. This approach shows promise for treating people with Sickle Cell-related diseases, reducing the risk of unwanted changes and potential health problems.
A new study published in Aging-US found that frailty is associated with increased respiratory exacerbations and mortality in individuals with a history of cigarette smoking. Frail participants had a three- to five-fold higher chance of developing serious or frequent respiratory attacks, even if they had normal lung function.
A new study suggests that regular exercise can influence epigenetic aging and potentially reverse it, offering a promising way to extend healthspan. Physical fitness is closely associated with slower epigenetic aging, and sedentary behavior may have detrimental effects on the body's internal aging process.
Researchers found that maternal obesity prior to pregnancy can program long-term neurodevelopmental trajectories in children through epigenetic alterations. This led to autistic-like behaviors in male mice, correlating with altered gene regulation in the cortex and hippocampus.
A new research paper found that epigenetic aging is linked to cognitive decline in midlife, with twins experiencing a larger drop in IQ scores if they had grown up in families with lower socioeconomic status. This study provides new evidence for the impact of childhood adversity on brain aging.
A recent study published in The EMBO Journal reveals that the Setd8 gene plays a critical role in the premature aging of the brain by controlling neural stem cell activity and proliferation. Artificially lowering Setd8 levels mimicked molecular signatures of aging, highlighting its potential as a biomarker for early aging.
Researchers successfully modulate the activity of key immune system genes using CRISPR-Cas9 technology, revealing a new approach to treating inflammatory diseases. The study demonstrates precise control over gene expression and its impact on tumour growth and inflammation.
Researchers have developed a new technique to comprehensively profile DNA methylation in single cells, enabling better study of epigenetics in cancer and other diseases. The scDEEP-mC method yields high-resolution maps of DNA methylation and supports cutting-edge analyses in single cells.
Chronic health issues may emerge from long-term obesity in young adults, leading to epigenetic alterations, telomere attrition, and impaired nutrient sensing. The study found a significant association between long-term obesity and accelerated biological aging, highlighting the importance of addressing obesity early on.
A study published in Science Bulletin discovered that histone demethylase LSD1 maintains dormant primordial follicles, which are essential for long-term ovarian function. Loss of LSD1 triggers ovarian reserve depletion and premature failure.
Researchers at UChicago have developed a more sensitive liquid biopsy test that uses RNA to detect the earliest stages of colorectal cancer with 95% accuracy. The test analyzes RNA modification levels in blood samples, which remain stable regardless of sample preparation.
Researchers have created a novel sequencing technology, NTD-seq, that enables the direct mapping of 5-methylcytosine in genomic DNA. The method, which uses an enzyme to deaminate cytosine and preserve 5mC, shows strong concordance with existing maps and offers a powerful tool for studying epigenetic modifications.
Professor Eran Meshorer's groundbreaking research in epigenetics and stem cell biology has uncovered critical insights into chromatin structure and gene expression. His work has broad implications for regenerative medicine, developmental biology, and understanding neurological disorders.
Researchers at UCLA have discovered a chromatin-based strategy that enables cells to rapidly produce proteins when nutrients are scarce. This 'priming' mechanism, driven by the MYC gene, allows cancer cells to adapt and survive under metabolic stress.
A new perspective challenges current epigenetic clocks, which use DNA methylation patterns to estimate biological age, by failing to distinguish between different types of methylation changes. This could lead to inaccurate conclusions and potentially slow down progress in anti-aging research.
Researchers discovered that children with MS show signs of accelerated biological aging, even in their teenage years, which may lead to new treatment possibilities beyond immunosuppression. The study found that youth with MS had evidence of accelerated epigenetic age, a measurement of DNA chemical modifications associated with aging.
A newly developed AI model, crossNN, accurately diagnoses brain tumors in 99.1% of cases and differentiates between over 170 tumor types from all organs with 97.8% accuracy. This technology enables non-invasive diagnostics using cerebrospinal fluid samples, providing a stress-free alternative to traditional biopsy methods.
Researchers discovered a specialized histone arrangement, called the CENP-A–H4 octasome, in centromeric regions. This unique structure likely contributes to proper kinetochore formation and mitosis.
A new study reveals that the weight of fathers during adolescence can harm genes in future children, linked to asthma, obesity, and low lung function. The effect is more pronounced in female children, highlighting a potential vulnerability window for lifestyle influences.
A new study reveals that boys who are overweight in their early teens risk damaging the genes of their future children, increasing the chances of developing asthma, obesity, and low lung function. The researchers identified epigenetic changes in over 2,000 sites in 1,962 genes linked to fat cell formation and lipid metabolism.