Articles tagged with Epigenetics
Dr Manel Esteller received the Jaume Aiguader i Miró Award for his book 'The Secret of Eternal Life', which explains biological mechanisms of ageing and longevity. His research focuses on epigenetic changes linked to premature ageing and extreme longevity.
Roundworm C. elegans avoids deceased conspecifics due to olfactory cues from metabolites AMP and histidine, leading to reduced fitness and increased egg laying. The detection of these signals may be an evolutionarily maintained mechanism for detecting cellular death.
Researchers found that consuming foods high in methyl adaptogens, such as green tea and berries, can reduce markers of epigenetic aging. The study, which involved middle-aged men, suggests that targeted food choices may help slow the aging process.
Researchers from Kyushu University find the X-linked mutation behind orange fur in house cats, revealing a new mechanism for promoting orange coloring. The 'ARHGAP36' gene is found to be active in melanocytes of orange patches, reducing activity in genes involved in melanogenesis.
Researchers identified two distinct epigenetic profiles in Burkitt Lymphoma, one associated with a favorable clinical course and the other with early relapse and shorter survival. This discovery has implications for treatment strategies and may lead to personalized medicine approaches.
Three Israeli scientists will each receive US$100,000 for their innovative work in Life Sciences, Chemical Sciences, and Physical Sciences & Engineering. The Blavatnik Awards recognize outstanding young scientists at the early stages of their careers.
A study on captive olive baboons found that about a quarter exhibited accelerated aging, while another quarter showed signs of slower aging. The researchers investigated physical indicators such as walking speed and fine motor skills, but found that these changes were more closely related to chronological age than epigenetic age.
Participants who took the supplement showed improvements in grip strength, lower body mobility, and reductions in body weight. The supplement appeared to reduce stem cell turnover, regulate immune function, and influence gene activity related to stress response.
Researchers developed a new method to measure changes in DNA that can help predict a person's age, focusing on how random chemical tags become over time. The study found that methylation entropy predicted age as accurately as traditional methods, with an average error of just five years.
Berger has made significant contributions to cancer epigenetics and tumor biology. Her work has elucidated key mechanisms of p53 regulation and immune cell epigenetics, advancing our understanding of cancer biology.
Researchers developed a cell-based reporter assay that can quantify epigenetic changes induced by chemicals and potential carcinogens. The epi-TK assay detects gene silencing and activation, reflecting epigenetic changes associated with both gene expression and DNA methylation.
Researchers at UC Santa Cruz engineered cellular models of embryos using CRISPR technology, allowing them to study early developmental stages without experimenting with actual embryos. The team found that 80% of stem cells organized into embryo-like structures, showcasing a remarkable collective behavior and molecular composition.
Researchers at MD Anderson have made significant breakthroughs in understanding pancreatic cancer's evolutionary process and developing new treatment strategies. They also discovered that surgical resection can enhance antitumor response in patients receiving immune checkpoint therapy for advanced kidney cancer.
The study identified over 34,000 genomic regions with distinct ON/OFF methylation patterns, including novel imprinted regions and tissue-specific variability. This atlas provides valuable insights into epigenetic regulation and may help explain the inheritance patterns of genetic diseases such as CHARGE syndrome.
A study published in Aging (Aging-US) found associations between several environmental exposures and epigenetic aging in a large sample of US adults. Cadmium, lead, and cotinine were linked to faster biological aging, increasing the risk of age-related diseases such as heart disease and cancer.
A new study discovered that violence can alter human genes for generations, even in grandchildren who never experienced violence themselves. Researchers found epigenetic changes in the genomes of Syrian families affected by the Hama massacre and subsequent civil war.
A new study suggests that extreme heat exposure accelerates biological aging in older adults, with participants experiencing greater increases in biological age in neighborhoods with more days of high heat. The study analyzed epigenetic changes and found a significant correlation between heat index values and biological age.
Researchers discovered a gene cluster responsible for producing withanolides in ground-cherry plants, demonstrating epigenetic regulation of chemical defenses. The study provides insights into the production of diverse metabolites and potential development of alternative pesticides and therapeutics.
A new test called EpiAgePublic estimates biological age using only three DNA sites in the ELOVL2 gene, simplifying traditional methods while maintaining accuracy. The study found that EpiAgePublic accurately tracks aging patterns and can identify factors accelerating the aging process.
A multinational research team has identified an epigenetic inhibitor that specifically kills the malaria pathogen by targeting its gene regulation. The study opens up new opportunities for innovative therapeutic approaches to combat malaria.
Osteosarcoma cells often have extra copies of the SETDB1 gene, making the cancer more aggressive and harder to treat. Blocking SETDB1 may help the immune system recognize and attack osteosarcoma cells, offering a promising new way to treat this type of bone cancer.
The Predictive Phenomics Initiative and the Exposome Moonshot aim to understand the impact of molecular signaling on organisms. Environmental factors, such as diet and lifestyle, can significantly affect biological processes, influencing traits like height, disease risk, and even eye color.
A study found that DNA methylation clocks used in forensic science and epigenetics are less reliable when applied to non-blood tissues, such as lungs, colon, and kidneys. The researchers suggest that organ-specific epigenetic clocks may be needed to improve biological age prediction.
A new study from Penn State finds that oral tissue samples significantly affect epigenetic clock accuracy, leading to older age estimates. Researchers tested five tissue types and seven epigenetic clocks, concluding that blood-based samples are more accurate in measuring biological age.
A recent study led by Heike Bischoff-Ferrari found that taking omega-3 fatty acids slowed down biological aging across several epigenetic clocks by up to four months. The combination of omega-3, vitamin D, and strength training proved to be even more effective in slowing down the biological aging process.
A new study reveals a link between genetic mutations and epigenetic modifications, challenging the current anti-aging strategies based on epigenetic clock theory. The research found that mutations can cause a cascade of epigenetic changes across the genome, making it harder to reverse aging than previously thought.
Researchers developed a new tool to measure biological aging in individual cell types, providing insights into diseases like Alzheimer's and liver pathologies. The study found that certain brain cells and liver cells show signs of accelerated aging, making it a better tool for detecting diseases.
A zebrafish protein, Hmga1, has been found to unlock dormant genes for heart repair in mice. The discovery could lead to regenerative therapies to prevent heart failure in humans.
A study from Tulane University found that a low-protein diet in one generation can lead to lower birthweights and smaller kidneys in offspring across multiple generations. The findings suggest that food scarcity or malnutrition may result in decades of adverse health outcomes.
A study published in Environmental Epigenetics found that pregnant women with preeclampsia had distinct epigenetic modifications, potentially serving as a biomarker. The researchers hope to develop a cheek swab test to detect these risks earlier, allowing for preventative medicine treatments.
Dr. Direna Alonso-Curbelo's ERC Consolidator Grant project, IGNITE, aims to unravel the complex interplay between genetic and non-genetic factors that ignite tumor development. The research focuses on understanding how inflammation drives pancreatic cancer initiation and progression.
CNIO researchers have identified significant inaccuracies in widely used epigenetic clocks, which are now being refined by the team. The new epigenetic clock model provides more accurate measurements, reducing errors by up to 25 years for some tests.
Researchers found that maritime pine seeds retain memories of temperature conditions experienced during embryonic development, influencing gene expression and potentially affecting tree growth. The study suggests epigenetic mechanisms could play a crucial role in helping trees adapt to environmental stressors and climate change.
A comprehensive epigenetic database of over 200 malignant cell lines has been developed, offering valuable insights into leukemia and lymphoma. The database allows researchers to predict drug sensitivity based on epigenetic lesions, aiding in tumour diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers at the Hubrecht Institute have mapped the activity of DNA repair proteins in individual human cells, discovering unique and sometimes rare ways to repair DNA damage. These proteins organize into 'hubs' where multiple damaged DNA regions come together, making the process more efficient.
A novel method has been developed to infer DNA methylation patterns in non-skeletal tissues from ancient specimens, providing new insights into human evolution. The study found over 1,850 sites of differential methylation specifically in prefrontal cortex neurons, linked to genes crucial for brain development.
This systematic review analyzes 33 biological clocks used for aging and mortality quantification, categorizing them into epigenetic and phenotypic clocks. Epigenetic clocks demonstrate precision in estimating chronological age through DNA methylation, while phenotypic clocks predict mortality using easily measurable clinical variables.
Exposure to multiple environmental stressors simultaneously impairs the ability of herring larvae to react at a molecular level, reducing their capacity for acclimatization. This can lead to increased protein damage and cell injury, potentially affecting growth and survival.
Scientists at WashU Medicine have successfully forced glioblastoma cells to display immune system targets, potentially making them vulnerable to immunotherapies. The strategy involves a combination of two FDA-approved epigenetic therapy drugs that induce the production of unusual proteins called neoantigens.
Induced resistance, a plant-based approach, prepares plants to fight pests and disease by activating their immune systems. This holistic strategy combines multiple methods for tailored protection, enhancing abilities beyond just one defense mechanism.
Researchers investigate how racism affects development during childhood and adolescence, finding significant increases in epigenetic age acceleration. The study suggests that policies and social regularities may perpetuate discrimination against ethnically and racially minoritized adolescents.
Researchers found that plants use both DDM1 and RNAi to control chromosome division, providing a 'backup plan' when one molecule is lost. This discovery may lead to better treatments for human diseases such as ICF syndrome and cancer progression.
Researchers have identified six epigenetic hallmarks that characterize transformed cells, including DNA methylation, viral reactivation, and histone protein modifications. These properties enable cancer cells to evolve and resist therapy, making them a key target for improving diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers compared epigenetic changes across the genome in young adults who vaped, smoked or did not use nicotine products, finding a tumor-suppressor gene among the key findings. The study found substantial overlap in DNA methylation patterns between people who vaped versus those who smoked.
A recent study by Dr. Esteban Ballestar's group identifies an immune cell population that is more effective in responding against cancer cells under hypoxia. Macrophages undergo changes that enhance their ability to trigger an immune response, leading to better patient outcomes in bladder and ovarian cancers.
Researchers have identified a new epigenetic mark, 5-formylcytosine, which plays a crucial role in activating genes during early embryonic development. This discovery sheds light on the regulation of gene expression in vertebrates and has implications for our understanding of human development and disease.
A recent study by Nara Institute of Science and Technology reveals a new mechanism for dynamic gene silencing and reactivation, highlighting the intricate roles of proteins like SDG7. The research team identified a competitive interaction between SDGs and PRC2 at PREs, allowing for efficient gene activation through H3K36 methylation.
Scientists have discovered over 50,000 unusual DNA structures called i-motifs in the human genome, which are concentrated in key functional areas and may play a role in regulating gene activity. This finding offers new possibilities for diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to diseases such as cancer.
A recent study found that the epigenetic age of a tissue is influenced by the frequency and activity of its stem cells. Stem cells in skin and intestine had a higher rate of division, resulting in a younger epigenetic age compared to those in muscle and blood.
Researchers employed AI to analyze epigenetic impact of chromatin and transcriptional changes during winter dormancy in axillary apple buds. The study revealed genes related to cellular response to hypoxia, defense response to ABA, and circadian rhythm were activated during bud dormancy.
Researchers found associations between cardiorespiratory fitness and DNA methylation-based aging clocks in older men, suggesting that active lifestyles may delay biological aging. The study aims to establish fitness reference values to help prevent the onset of diseases associated with aging.
Researchers studied the association of 12 immune cell types with epigenetic age acceleration in healthy and diseased populations. Their work sheds light on the complex interplay between immune cell composition and epigenetic aging.
Researchers discover a gene drive system, Teosinte Pollen Drive (TPD), that enables the quick transfer of traits from teosinte to maize. This finding sheds light on corn's rapid adaptation to the highlands and has significant implications for agriculture.
Researchers at UC San Francisco found a link between healthy diets and a younger biological age. Even when people eat healthy diets, each gram of added sugar is associated with an increase in epigenetic age. The Mediterranean diet had the strongest association with lower epigenetic age.
A study published in BMC Medicine found that an eight-week vegan diet reduced biological age estimates by analyzing DNA methylation levels. The research, conducted on 21 pairs of identical twins, showed decreases in biological age and organ systems' ages for those who followed a vegan diet.
Researchers found that epigenetic state affects neurons' recruitment into memory trace formation. Open chromatin states enable more efficient learning. The study opens new avenues for understanding learning and may lead to medication for improving cognitive disorders.
A recent study published in Cell discovered that strokes can change the epigenetics of the immune system, particularly in the heart, leading to scarring and impaired pumping function. The researchers identified IL-1b as the main culprit behind these epigenetic modifications, which can drive inflammatory cardiac dysfunction.
Researchers found that the frequency of activated TREG cells remained elevated during treatment and continued to be high even after the virus was eliminated. Inflammatory features, such as increased TNF signaling, were sustained in TREG cells, indicating long-term immune system changes induced by the chronic infection.
A new study has identified potential cancer drivers hidden in so-called 'junk' regions of DNA, which could lead to early diagnosis and new treatments. The discovery reveals mutations in previously overlooked regions of the genome that may contribute to the formation and progression of at least 12 different cancers.
A CHARMed collaboration has created a set of molecular tools called CHARMs that can turn off disease-causing genes, including those coding for the prion protein. The tools have shown promise in silencing the prion protein gene and improving or eliminating disease symptoms in animals.