Fifty years ago, a child diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the most common type of pediatric cancer, had little to no chance of survival. Today, those odds have increased dramatically thanks to tremendous advances in chemotherapy and other treatments. Cure rates for this type of leukemia can reach as high as 90 percent. Yet, there is … Continue reading Demethylating Agent May Boost Chemotherapy Effectiveness for Specific Type of Childhood Leukemia
Dogs Exposed to BPA Give Us Epigenetic Clues About Our Own Wellbeing
Exposure to a widespread environmental chemical could cause changes to chemical tags on DNA, which can impact the expression of genes and potentially increase the risk for disease. Researchers studied one of our closest companions – dogs – and the epigenetic effect of bisphenol-A (BPA) found in canned dog food. Since these animals share our … Continue reading Dogs Exposed to BPA Give Us Epigenetic Clues About Our Own Wellbeing
The Consequences of a Poor Diet Could Epigenetically Persist Despite Improving Eating Habits
A majority of people know that improving your diet will lead to an improvement in your health. But not everyone knows that the consequences of eating poorly can actually persist even after you’ve changed your dietary habits for the better. New research on mice suggests that even following the treatment of atherosclerosis – the build-up … Continue reading The Consequences of a Poor Diet Could Epigenetically Persist Despite Improving Eating Habits
Epigenetic Study Finds New Potential Drug Targets for Asthma and Allergies
A new epigenetic study has identified 30 genes connected to allergies and asthma that make people more susceptible to these conditions. Using the newly discovered gene targets from this study, scientists could potentially create drugs to combat allergic diseases and reduce allergic responses. About 6.8 million children and 18.7 million adults in the U.S. suffer … Continue reading Epigenetic Study Finds New Potential Drug Targets for Asthma and Allergies
DNA Methylation Gives Epigenetic Hope to Cocaine Addiction Treatment
Not only is cocaine a highly addictive drug, but it also comes with an incredibly high chance of relapse even after someone has abstained and experienced symptoms of withdrawal. A new study is illuminating the epigenetic changes made to DNA during the withdrawal stage for those trying to rid themselves of the drug and offers … Continue reading DNA Methylation Gives Epigenetic Hope to Cocaine Addiction Treatment
Down a Path of Epigenetic Destruction: Smoking Cigarettes Adjusts Critical Marks on DNA
You can now add “harmful changes to your DNA” to the long list of reasons to quit smoking cigarettes, along with lung cancer, coronary heart disease, increased risk of death, stroke, chronic lung disease, decreased immune function, infertility, and the fact that smoking harms nearly every organ in the body. Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer … Continue reading Down a Path of Epigenetic Destruction: Smoking Cigarettes Adjusts Critical Marks on DNA
Insight Into the Inheritance of Epigenetic Marks
An individual’s DNA contains the sequence of nucleotide bases that provide instructions for how every cell in their body is to develop and differentiate. When DNA is read, its instructions are followed to guide the development of cells, allowing genes to be “expressed”. Scientists are actively working to map out the cellular signaling pathways that determine … Continue reading Insight Into the Inheritance of Epigenetic Marks
DNA Methylation, Melting DNA, and Twins: Advancing Forensic Investigations
DNA profiling, also known as genetic fingerprinting has been crucial to the forensic investigation of crime scenes since the 1980s. Although important to the success of many cases, this technique comes with some limitations, particularly when investigators are trying to match DNA evidence to a twin. Using this method, it is difficult to conclusively determine … Continue reading DNA Methylation, Melting DNA, and Twins: Advancing Forensic Investigations
DNA Methylation Solves Crimes
In an episode of the popular procedural drama Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, entitled ‘Perverted’, the show’s protagonist, Detective Olivia Benson, was accused of murder after her DNA was found to match DNA isolated from blood recovered from the murder weapon. Without alibi, Detective Benson was arrested, her reputation in jeopardy. As her colleagues worked … Continue reading DNA Methylation Solves Crimes
Being Overweight Adds Distinct Epigenetic Marks to DNA
Extra weight that you may have put on during the holidays could not only appear around your belly, but also add epigenetic tags to your DNA, suggests a new study. Having a high body mass index (BMI) was linked to additional methyl tags found at more than 200 areas on the genome, which affects gene expression and … Continue reading Being Overweight Adds Distinct Epigenetic Marks to DNA
Dr. Eddy Bettermann MD 