Epigenetics

(Madhusoodanan, 2017)

Epigenetics is the study of how external factors and choices that effect our gene expression without the change of DNA, a change in the phenotype without altering the genotype. epigenetic also reviews how protein and chemical reactions send messages to the DNA to turn on and off specific genes in response to external choices. Cells are able to retract or expose certain genes in order to repair the cell. Signals from the outside world, inside or outside the cell can alter the cells function through gene expression. Nutrition from the mother is important in the early development stage. Food is the building blocks for shaping the fetus and development of the epigenome. Stress hormones are also factoring to the development. Social interaction, physical activity, diet and other interaction between the human and the environment. There are 2 major factors that allow this to happen; DNA Methylation and a specific type of protein called Histones. DNA Methylation is addition group of clustered hydrocarbons that attach directly to the strands of DNA. DNA Methylation attaches to a certain section of DNA called the CpG. Methyl groups act a blockade and can turn on or off certain section of DNA. Histones are proteins that DNA wraps around tightly or loosely depending on what traits need to be turned on or off. If it is very tightly wrapped, that gene will be hidden not able to be utilized.  It acts the same as a dead or mutated gene. These are the kinds of things that can regulate gene expression and also become abnormal in cancer.

(Barter, 2014)

While people began studying how genetic bonded, Scientists Conrad H. Waddington and Ernst Hadorn evolve it to what is now called epigenetics (mid 20^th century). In 1942, scientist labeled this type of biotechnology, “Epigenetics.” This title comes from a greek word “epigenesis” which originally described the influence of genetic processes on development. This led to the discovery of the “molecular basis” of Conrad Waddington’s observations where environmental stress caused genetic adaptation of specific phenotypic characteristics in Drosophila fruit flies. In Epigenetics, a modification that “turns off” genes to help repair damaged DNA, could actually leaded to an increase in DNA damage, which means increases of cancer risk. Researchers say, “cancer was the first human disease to be linked to epigenetics” (Unknown, Unknown). Individuals who are aging are more susceptible to getting epigenetic cancer because every time a stem cell repairs an injury it becomes weaker/older. Genetic damage is based on external choices made like smoking and radiation exposures, but Epigenetic damage is caused internally by how the cell chooses to turn on and off specific genes. Environmental modifications and human behavior are main cause to how the DNA strands get altered. Other factors such as poor diet and unhealthy living can also affect the chance of getting cancer. Through the study of Epigenetics, scientist have found that epigenetics and the way our DNA utilizes it, can cause or can treat cancer.

Epigenetics is a very interesting piece of biotechnology that can help determine and detect types of diseases and damage that may occur to the human body. Although it is help towards repairing and detecting diseases, it also has the power to create diseases. Epigenetics are able to express which set of genes are turned on and off, allowing the human body to code of certain proteins and repair another section. Scientist have been able to detect that many forms of cancer is produced by the human body control over its DNA. This type of biotechnology is most defiantly best used towards cancer research and development. Scientist all over the world are looking forward to a new type of biotechnology, using what they know about Epigenetics and the human body, call “Epigenetics-drugs.” Currently, Epi-drugs are classified under a category of drugs used for treatment of specific cancers. These drugs fall into two groups: DNA methylation inhibitors and histone deacetylase inhibitors. FDA has approved seven drugs for cancer treatment. Inhibitors is a substance that decreases the rate of, or prevents, a chemical reaction.

The increased knowledge of epigenetics, gene editing, and next-generation sequencing in recent years, permits scientist to better understand the interaction between epigenetic change, gene regulation, and human diseases, and will lead to the progress of new approaches for molecular analysis and specific treatments plans across in the medical field.

Research Template:

Loading...

Taking too long?

Reload document

| Open in new tab

Download

Core Competency:

Loading...

Taking too long?

Reload document

| Open in new tab

Download

Works Cited:

“A Look at the Origins of Cancer Epigenetics.” Cancer Discovery, American Association for Cancer Research, 1 July 2013, cancerdiscovery.aacrjournals.org/content/3/7/713.

Barter, Krystal. “Pink Hope.” Pink Hope, 29 Sept. 2014, https://pinkhope.org.au/epigenetics-dna-methylation-genetics-and-cancer/.

“Cancer Epigenetics.” CancerQuest, http://www.cancerquest.org/cancer-biology/cancer-epigenetics.

Dowie, Sarah. “The Future of Epigenetic Drugs.” On Biology, 16 Sept. 2016, blogs.biomedcentral.com/on-biology/2016/09/08/future-epigenetic-drugs/.

Epigenetics, learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/epigenetics/.

“Epigentics Studies Affect of Chemical Tags Linked to DNA.” WhatisBiotechnology.org, http://www.whatisbiotechnology.org/index.php/science/summary/epigenetics/.

“How DNA Methylation Works.” YouTube, 6 Dec. 2016, https://youtu.be/KYHBbEKap0A.

Hovet, Kristen. “Genetic Literacy Project.” Genetic Literacy Project, 8 Oct. 2019, https://www.the-scientist.com/lab-tools/high-throughput-epigenetics-analyses-30163.

Moosavi, Azam, and Ali Motevalizadeh Ardekani. “Role of Epigenetics in Biology and Human Diseases.” Iranian Biomedical Journal, Pasteur Institute, Nov. 2016, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5075137/.

Pierre Issa, Jean. “Epigenetic Therapy.” PBS, Public Broadcasting Service, 16 Oct. 2007, http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/article/epigenetic-therapy/.

Rettner, Rachael. “Epigenetics: Definition & Examples.” LiveScience, Purch, 24 June 2013, http://www.livescience.com/37703-epigenetics.html.

Verma, Mukesh, and Vineet Kumar. “Epigenetic Drugs for Cancer and Precision Medicine.” Epigenetics of Aging and Longevity, Academic Press, 17 Nov. 2017, http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128110607000218.