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Clumps of pink, yellow, brown, blue, and green dots on a black background.
Epigenetic Changes Drive Cancer 
An analysis of almost 700 different tumors revealed that DNA methylation drives tumorigenesis just like genetic mutations do. 
Epigenetic Changes Drive Cancer 
Epigenetic Changes Drive Cancer 

An analysis of almost 700 different tumors revealed that DNA methylation drives tumorigenesis just like genetic mutations do. 

An analysis of almost 700 different tumors revealed that DNA methylation drives tumorigenesis just like genetic mutations do. 

DNA methylation, epigenetics

Image of methylated DNA
Stress Increases Biological Age, But Recovery Can Revert It
Alejandra Manjarrez, PhD | Apr 21, 2023 | 2 min read
A new study relying on DNA methylation clocks suggests that the biological age of mouse and human cells can fluctuate in response to stressful events.
a trio of infant mice, two brown mice on the ends and one white mouse in the middle
Mice Pass Epigenetic Tweaks to Pups
Katherine Irving | Feb 17, 2023 | 5 min read
An engineered methylation pattern persisted for four generations of mice, demonstrating transgenerational epigenetic inheritance can occur in mammals.
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Epigenetics in a Dish
The Scientist | 2 min read
Jonathan Weissman and Luke Gilbert share how they developed several CRISPR-based epigenetic editors and how these tools differ from traditional CRISPR.
A younger-looking mouse next to an older-looking one
Epigenetic Manipulations Can Accelerate or Reverse Aging in Mice
Alejandra Manjarrez, PhD | Jan 12, 2023 | 4 min read
Repairing damaged DNA appears to drive aging by causing the loss of epigenetic information, but restoring that information reverses such effects, a study finds.
Illustration from the epigenetics and the genome infographic
Infographic: How Epigenetic Marks Can Change the Genome
Katarina Zimmer | Nov 1, 2022 | 2 min read
Although epigenetic changes were long thought to largely act on the genome, rather than as part of it, research is now showing that these patterns can, directly or indirectly, change the genetic code.
The Epigenetic Origins of Allergy and Asthma
The Scientist Speaks Ep. 15 - The Epigenetic Origins of Allergy and Asthma
The Scientist | 1 min read
Epigenetic marks acquired from environmental exposures throughout life influence human health and may even transcend generations.
Cellular DNA and epigenetics
Do Epigenetic Changes Influence Evolution?
Katarina Zimmer | Nov 1, 2022 | 10+ min read
Evidence is mounting that epigenetic marks on DNA can influence future generations in a variety of ways. But how such phenomena might affect large-scale evolutionary processes is hotly debated.
A cross-section of a mouse hypothalamus, where cells of the arcuate nucleus are shown in bright green at the bottom.
Methylation in Young Brains May Be Key to Obesity: Mouse Study
Alejandra Manjarrez, PhD | Oct 19, 2022 | 4 min read
Epigenetic events, such as methylation, during early brain development in mice occur in genomic regions associated with BMI in humans, according to a new study.
Illustration showing epigenetic changes
Infographic: Questions Linger About Epigenetic Inheritance
Catherine Offord | Apr 4, 2022 | 3 min read
Some studies suggest that associations between the health of children and the experiences of their parents or grandparents may be due to epigenetic mechanisms, but confounding factors challenge this interpretation.
Illustration showing two hands join, father or mother with child
Does Human Epigenetic Inheritance Deserve a Closer Look?
Catherine Offord | Apr 4, 2022 | 10+ min read
The concept of epigenetic inheritance has long been controversial. Some researchers hope that new data on cross-generational effects of environmental exposures will help settle the debate.
health care provider standing in front of gynecology stirrups holding swabs for Pap smear
DNA Methylation Could Predict Ovarian, Breast Cancers
Anna Napolitano, PhD | Feb 11, 2022 | 5 min read
A pair of new studies finds that analyzing material from a Pap smear can reveal tumor risk in distant parts of the body, potentially allowing early interventions.
Long-Lived Trees’ Epigenetic Mutations Serve as a Molecular Clock
Jef Akst | Mar 1, 2021 | 2 min read
Cells found in different branches of a tree have different patterns of DNA methylation, changes in which accumulate over time.
Genetic Reprogramming Restores Vision in Mice: Study
Max Kozlov | Dec 6, 2020 | 5 min read
Researchers repaired what is otherwise irreversible damage in the animals’ ocular neurons, by activating transcription factors ordinarily used to generate induced pluripotent stem cells.
a mouse on an exercise wheel
Early Epigenetic Changes Regulate Voluntary Exercise in Mice: Study
Emma Yasinski | Dec 7, 2019 | 3 min read
Altering DNA methylation in a particular area of the hypothalamus halved the animals’ voluntary exercise as adults.
Ribosomal DNA Can Predict an Animal’s Age
Abby Olena, PhD | Feb 14, 2019 | 3 min read
A clock constructed of rDNA methylation sites can estimate both chronological and biological age across species.
New Techniques Detail Embryos’ First Hours and Days
Jef Akst | Dec 1, 2017 | 10+ min read
New technologies reveal the dynamic changes in mouse and human embryos during the first week after fertilization.
Infographic: How Embryos Take Control of Their Own Development
Jef Akst | Nov 30, 2017 | 3 min read
The switch from maternal factors involves dynamic reprogramming of the zygotic genome.
The Role of DNA Base Modifications
Skirmantas Kriaucionis | Sep 1, 2017 | 10+ min read
Researchers are just beginning to scratch the surface of how several newly recognized epigenetic changes function in the genome.
Infographic: The Various Forms of Methylated DNA
Skirmantas Kriaucionis | Aug 31, 2017 | 1 min read
To expand the basic nucleotide alphabet, many species modify their DNA with epigenetic marks.
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