A randomized controlled trial found that cash transfers to low-income mothers slowed biological aging in their children, measured by epigenetic markers. The intervention also increased spending on activities with young children and brain activity, without affecting other measures of health and development.
A mouse study found that early-life stress alters DNA packaging in brain cells, leading to a molecular memory of trauma and increased sensitivity to future stress. Boosting SETD7 levels during early development can lower tolerance for stress in adulthood.
The Human Cancer Model Initiative released a compendium of more than 150 organoid models of 25 types of cancer, which are now available to scientists worldwide. These patient-derived organoids provide state-of-the-art research tools for accelerating discovery and developing personalized treatment strategies.
A study found that brain immune cells undergo substantial remodeling in midlife, leading to chronic neuroinflammation and potential dementia risk. The research used advanced single-cell analysis techniques to analyze postmortem hippocampal tissue from 40 healthy adults.
Researchers at Salk Institute create a body-wide single-cell atlas of two major epigenetic systems, revealing that cell-type-specific epigenetic features can affect disease risk. The study identifies over 1.36 million differentially methylated regions and 283,606 differential chromatin loops across the human body's cell types.
A new study finds that adult children of World Trade Center responders with PTSD are experiencing intergenerational transmission of trauma and ongoing mental health issues more than two decades after the 9/11 attacks. The research highlights the lasting impact of trauma on families and communities affected by the disaster.
Researchers developed RF-SIRF, a quantitative method to detect and map reversed DNA replication forks with single-cell resolution. The study identified unique epigenetic codes for DNA replication stress that can be further examined to understand genomic stability, aging, and treatment response.
A new study found that every type of epigenome protein produces a distinct pattern of gene expression, surpassing the on/off switch functionality. This discovery has significant implications for cellular engineering, enabling more dynamic control over cellular behavior and potential applications in biomanufacturing and bioproduction.
Researchers created the most comprehensive single-cell atlas of epigenetic changes in the aging mouse brain, revealing how DNA methylation, genome structure, and gene activity change across brain regions and cell types. The atlas has already shown clear epigenetic differences between different age groups and allowed the development of ...
Researchers found that perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) and perfluorooctanesulfonamide (PFOSA) accelerate biological aging in middle-aged men, with effects being strongest in this age group due to lifestyle factors. PFAS pollution has been linked to human cancers, obesity, infertility, and hormonal imbalances.
A new study suggests blocking key protein p300 can create novel form of cellular stress in cancer cells, re-sensitizing chemo-resistant tumors. Cells produce proteins even with damaged DNA, leading to toxic buildup and stress inside the cell's internal quality-control system.
Research finds age-related DNA methylation alterations in sperm may contribute to autism risk in offspring. Advanced paternal age is associated with specific changes in sperm DNA, influencing early development in children.
The German Research Foundation (DFG) has funded a three-year project to investigate epigenetic memory in nerve cells. The goal is to understand how gene expressions are preserved via epigenetic regulation, which plays a key role in learning ability, memory function, and healthy brain development.
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 study led by Emory University researchers has identified epigenetic changes that help Indigenous people of South America adapt to high altitudes. The research found strong differences in DNA methylation between low- and high-altitude populations for genes associated with vascular system regulation and muscle growth.
Researchers have made breakthroughs in overcoming immune reactions behind human rejection of transplanted pig kidneys, paving the way for more successful clinical trials. The study reveals three major immune responses against the pig kidney and identifies potential biomarkers as early-warning systems for rejection.
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.
A cohort study reveals a significant association between social adversity and increased incidence of triple-negative breast cancer in Black women. The findings suggest potential social genomic and gene-environment interactions that contribute to disparities in breast cancer survival.
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 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 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.
A study assessing twelve DNA methylation signatures of aging found that GrimAge2 is robustly and independently associated with all-cause mortality, surpassing other DNAm signatures and chronological age. The findings suggest GrimAge2 as a promising tool for assessing mortality risk and evaluating healthy aging interventions.
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.
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.
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.
Scientists have developed genome sequences for five duckweed species, revealing genes behind the plant's unique traits and versatility. The research holds promise for commercial applications, including carbon capture technology and biofuel production.
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.
A recent study found that childhood maltreatment is associated with specific epigenetic patterns in sperm, which may mediate effects on offspring brain development. The study also reveals changes in sperm DNA methylation and small non-coding RNA molecules in men with high levels of maltreatment.
The new textbook, Gene Regulation and Epigenetics: How Science Works, provides an in-depth understanding of gene regulation and epigenomics, essential for graduate students across biomedical fields. The book highlights the role of transcription factors, chromatin dynamics, and non-coding RNA in shaping gene expression.
Researchers from the Kind Group have gained new insights into the mechanism behind the spatial organization of DNA within cells of early embryos. They found that DNA regions near the nuclear edge are repelled by a specific protein modification, leading to an unusual organization that enables cells to differentiate into various types.
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.
Researchers found that inflammation in the gut affects ISCs' regenerative capacity even after resolution of inflammation. The study used cellular and animal models to show that exposure to inflammation reprograms the epigenome, leading to reduced regeneration.
This special issue of JAMA Network Open highlights scientific progress in combining social determinants and health outcomes to understand mechanisms underlying health disparities. The studies demonstrate the importance of interdisciplinary integration in transforming health disparities research.
Researchers have developed a modular epigenome editing platform to study the impact of chromatin modifications on transcription. The system allows for precise programming of nine biologically important chromatin marks, enabling the discovery of causal relationships between chromatin marks and gene regulation.
Researchers analyzed epigenetic modifications in motor neurons from nearly 400 ALS patients, identifying 30 locations with modifications linked to disease progression. The findings may help develop targeted treatments for specific types of ALS.
A new study has identified a deficit in the placental expression of IGFBP1 and low circulating levels as associated with insulin resistance during pregnancy. The findings suggest that measuring IGFBP1 levels could help identify people at risk of developing gestational diabetes early in pregnancy.
A new study finds that e-cigarette users with a limited smoking history experience similar DNA changes to specific cheek cells as smokers. The researchers also found that some smoking-related epigenetic changes remain more stable after giving up smoking, suggesting that e-cigarettes may not be completely safe.
A large-scale study has found a significant link between smoking and DNA methylation, with two new epigenetic markers identified that differ by race or ethnicity. The research could lead to better ways to predict smoking-related disease risk and improve early detection and treatment.
The study maps over 32 million cells in the mouse brain, describing their type, location, and molecular information. This atlas paves the way for a greater understanding of the human brain and development of precision therapeutics for mental and neurological disorders.
Researchers developed a new technique called MAbID to study multiple mechanisms of gene regulation simultaneously, enabling the connection between different gene expression processes. This technology can be applied to various fields, including human development and disease research.
A massive research consortium has created the largest human brain cell atlases to date, revealing over 3,000 different kinds of brain cells. This breakthrough study provides new insights into the cellular organization of the human brain and its modular, functional nature.
The study aims to identify genetic and molecular factors associated with susceptibility and progression of liver disease in Hispanics/Latinos. Researchers will collect data from 300 participants, including those with metabolic-associated fatty liver disease and healthy controls.
Researchers analyzed over 2 million cells from 400 postmortem brain samples to identify cellular pathways that could become new drug targets for Alzheimer's treatments. They found impairments in mitochondrial function, synaptic signaling, and protein complexes, as well as disrupted lipid metabolism.
Peter A. Jones, Ph.D., D.Sc., receives a seven-year, nearly $7.9 million grant to study epigenetic errors driving cancer development and explore potential new treatments. The funding will support his research into the molecule DNMT3A, which is involved in brain development and cancer development.
The Keck School of Medicine of USC has launched a five-year, $50.3 million multi-omics study to better understand the causes and prevention of various diseases, including NAFLD, in underrepresented racial and ethnic groups.
A study by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia found that COVID-19 affects mitochondrial function in multiple organs beyond the lungs, leading to long-term damage. Mitochondrial gene expression was suppressed in the heart, kidneys, and liver, while recovering in the lungs.
A study by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute researchers found that gliomas can arise from epigenetic changes, which affect gene activity without altering DNA sequence. The findings pinpoint two genes, an oncogene and a tumor suppressor, whose activities are epigenetically altered in human gliomas.
An epigenetic study of over 18,000 people in Scotland identified associations between certain DNA modifications and increased risks of breast cancer, type II diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The findings provide new insights into the underlying mechanisms of these diseases.
Researchers have successfully mapped the dog epigenome, creating a high-quality reference map that provides insights into gene regulation and environmental influences. The study offers fresh perspectives on complex traits, genetic disorders, and diseases like cancer, with potential implications for human health.
A study found that childhood adversity between ages 3-5 affects epigenetic patterns in adolescence, particularly in individuals exposed to single-parent households. The researchers suggest that early life experiences can shape biological processes and influence health outcomes.
Researchers developed a new biological age indicator, DNAmFitAge, that incorporates physical fitness parameters, showing a correlation with lower mortality risk, coronary heart disease risk reduction, and improved disease-free status in physically fit individuals.
Researchers found that piglets born to stressed sows in concrete stalls showed epigenetic changes in brain regions related to emotion, learning, and memory. The study highlights the importance of animal welfare and suggests that even small improvements can have significant effects.
Researchers used a multiomics approach to analyze changes in transposable elements after influenza A virus infection, identifying transcription factors contributing to individual responses. The study provides insights into the variable severity of illness among individuals infected with the same virus.
A study reveals a unique epigenetic biotimer mechanism controlling floral meristem termination and stamen development in Arabidopsis thaliana. The team discovered that AGAMOUS serves as a master conductor orchestrating gene expression through cell cycle-coupled H3K27me3 dilution.
A new study from University of Michigan suggests that the perception of not enough food can be sufficient to slow aging in flies. The researchers induced hunger in flies through various methods, including altering amino acid levels and using optogenetics, and found that these flies lived significantly longer than controls.
Researchers from the ALFA Score Consortium explore how nutrition and physical exercise can positively impact the aging process by modifying epigenetic changes. They find that healthy aging is associated with more tightly condensed chromatin, fewer histone post-translational modifications, and greater regulation by non-coding RNAs.
The study found associations between prenatal maternal stress life events and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in offspring. DNA methylation likely plays a role in these associations. The research provides new insights into how the fetal environment influences neurodevelopment, metabolism and immunologic functions.
A recent study reveals the first high-quality nuclear genome sequence and assembly of Babesia duncani, a neglected species until now. The parasite's evolution and mechanism of virulence have been identified, providing leads for the development of effective therapies.
Recent studies have highlighted the importance of tumor microenvironment in developing and controlling triple negative breast cancer progression. Researchers suggest that technological advancements like genomics and epigenomics hold promise for overcoming TNBC's current limitations.
Researchers identified over 1,000 genes with age-related methylation changes in human sperm. These changes are associated with increased offspring disease susceptibility for neurodevelopmental disorders. The study found no correlation between paternal BMI or semen quality and age-related methylation changes.