DNA has long been considered the roadmap to our destiny, the final determinant in our disease risk and longevity. We are told repeatedly that our health is inherited, that our life is already determined by our father and mother’s DNA. While the DNA provides a template, it is not the final arbiter over our health. … Continue reading Sperm from malnourished males transmits information that negatively affects the genetic expression of their offspring
Demethylating Agent May Boost Chemotherapy Effectiveness for Specific Type of Childhood Leukemia
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
Chromatin Immunoprecipitation Study Supports HDAC Inhibitor as Possible Lung Cancer Treatment
A person’s genetic code can contribute to their risk for developing non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which accounts for about 85% of lung cancers. Epigenetics, the study of chemical tags that impact gene expression without altering the genetic sequence, is shown to also profoundly influence the development of cancer. In a study by Asan Medical Center researchers … Continue reading Chromatin Immunoprecipitation Study Supports HDAC Inhibitor as Possible Lung Cancer Treatment
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
HDAC Inhibitor Could Sharpen Memory and Treat Cancer
New research has found that a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor drug used to treat cancer could also help sharpen memory and improve one’s ability to learn a new language. It could even help rewire the brain and sustain neurons which could be of benefit to those suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia. Researchers from Rutgers published a study … Continue reading HDAC Inhibitor Could Sharpen Memory and Treat Cancer
RNA Methylation Gives Epigenetic Clues to Strengthening Memory
Memory is a complex process, one that we have only just begun to understand. Research hints that it might be possible for histone modification to degrade memory if we don’t get enough sleep or that certain epigenetic anti-cancer drugs known as HDAC inhibitors could sharpen memory. RNA methylation is an epigenetic mechanism that has been recently gained a lot of … Continue reading RNA Methylation Gives Epigenetic Clues to Strengthening Memory
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
The Precise Power of CRISPR/Cas9 System Creates Exciting Opportunities for Genetic and Epigenetic Editing
A breakthrough genome-editing technique known as CRISPR has been shown by MIT biological engineers to disrupt a single parasite gene in a matter of weeks, with a success rate as great as 100 percent. In light of this and other recent research, the possibilities for the CRISPR/Cas9 system are substantial for precisely editing the genome and … Continue reading The Precise Power of CRISPR/Cas9 System Creates Exciting Opportunities for Genetic and Epigenetic Editing
Dr. Eddy Bettermann MD 