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Heredity is about more than just DNA

Scientists discovered that a temporary change in gene regulation can be inherited for at least 15 generations in C. elegans without altering the DNA sequence. This epigenetic inheritance occurs through a succession of mechanisms, allowing organisms to respond to changing environmental conditions.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalThe EMBO Journal·TypeNews article·DateSep 28, 2026

Pitt and UPMC study finds epigenetic signature of pediatric traumatic brain injury, paves way for precision recovery tools

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.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalJournal of Neurotrauma·DateDec 9, 2025

When bacteria remember

Researchers have discovered that Pseudomonas aeruginosa can functionally organize itself into diverse populations using epigenetic memory. This diversification allows the pathogen to adapt to changing conditions in the human body and evade the immune system, making infections difficult to treat.

SourceHelmholtz Centre for Infection Research·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 2, 2025

Climate change can cause stress in herring larvae

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.

SourceUniversity of Oldenburg·JournalScience of The Total Environment·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 18, 2024

Harnessing nature’s code for data storage

The new approach utilizes epigenetic principles to encode digital information onto existing DNA strands, significantly increasing storage capacity and reducing costs. The technique enables the storage of vast amounts of data in a minuscule space for long durations, offering a major shift from conventional storage technologies.

SourceArizona State University·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 25, 2024

Expanding role of epigenetics in human health and disease

Epigenetic modifications regulate gene expression and cellular function, playing critical roles in normal development and disease processes. Recent technological advancements have improved our understanding of the epigenome, enabling targeted therapies to treat cancers and other diseases with aberrant epigenetic modifications.

SourceXia & He Publishing Inc.·JournalExploratory Research and Hypothesis in Medicine·DateJul 1, 2024

Combining epigenetic cancer medications may have benefit for colorectal cancers and other tumor types

Researchers have found that combining DNMT and EZH2 inhibitors activates viral mimicry in cancer cells, making them more susceptible to attack by the immune system. The combination therapy has shown potential in treating colorectal cancers and other solid tumors, with an upcoming Phase I clinical trial planned.

SourceVan Andel Research Institute·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 27, 2024

MSK-led research finds unexpected link between chromosomal instability and epigenetic alterations

A graduate student's curiosity uncovers a previously unknown link between chromosomal instability and epigenetic alterations in cancer. The study, led by MSK researchers, reveals that chromosomal instability can drive epigenetic changes without requiring gene mutations, shedding light on the biology of advanced, drug-resistant cancers.

SourceMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 7, 2023

An extra X chromosome-linked gene may explain decreased viral infection severity in females

A study published in Nature Immunology found that female mouse and human NK cells have more of a specific epigenetic regulator called UTX, which boosts anti-viral function while repressing NK cell numbers. This suggests that therapies need to be tailored to individual differences, including sex.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalNature Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 16, 2023

Discovery suggests new way to prevent common causes of vision loss

UVA scientists have discovered a new contributor to abnormal blood vessel growth in the eye, which could lead to new treatments for macular degeneration and other vision loss conditions. The discovery identifies a key protein that determines VEGF levels, blocking it has reduced VEGF levels significantly without unwanted side effects.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalSignal Transduction and Targeted Therapy·DateFeb 24, 2023

New AI tool makes speedy gene-editing possible

Researchers at NYU Langone Health and the University of Toronto have developed a new AI tool called ZFDesign, which enables customizable protein editing for treating genetic diseases. The tool promises to accelerate gene therapy development on a large scale, offering a potentially safer alternative to CRISPR.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalNature Biotechnology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 26, 2023