Epigenetics

Epigenetics is the future of science. It has evolved from being a science that very few believed in, to one that will shape medicine as it is known. As the Human Genome Project began, the goal was to determine which genes controlled what phenotypes in a human. After all the genes were identified and mapped, the expression of the genes that the scientists had just discovered was also beginning to be analyzed (EPIGENETICS). Although every gene had been identified and associated with a function, there were genes that if not expressed or not turned on, would create a different scenario. That is, the idea that the genotype of an individual would determine their phenotype was reinforced. Epigenetics however is the study of the switching on or off of the genes responsible for a particular action (Feinberg). For example, all of the organs of a single person have the exact same DNA as the others, yet a lung looks drastically different from a kidney. This is due to the expression of the genes responsible for creating a specific organ. If scientists are able to control the switching on and off of these genes, then many extraordinary possibilities exist.

Epigenetics, a term coined by Conrad Waddington (from Greek epi-, ‘over’, ‘outside of’, ‘around’) initially to mean “the branch of biology which studies the causal interactions

According to Rachael Rettner, Epigenetics is defined as, “external modifications to DNA that turn genes on or off. These modifications to DNA do not change the DNA sequence, but instead, they affect how cells read genes.” (Rettner 2013) Epigenetics is thought to possibly have a role in the development of some cancers. Since epigenetics modifies DNA, they can hide a growth, so to speak, or it can play a role in repairing the DNA’s damage. (Rettner 2013) If the changes are in the person’s sperm or egg cells, there is a possibility of that person’s children, or they’re children’s children, getting the modified DNA. (Rettner 2013) In a process called reprogramming, when the sperm and egg combine it allows the fetus to make its own epigenetic changes,

For years, scientists believed DNA, deoxyribonucleic acid, was the end-all-be-all: a mould for our cells to be created from. Which does not sound far-fetched since DNA contains all of the information needed for replication, differentiation, growth, and development, in addition to the countless cellular fates, as described in Waddington’s landscape. Instead, DNA is a guide for our cells, and Epigenetics is the tool that coerces them into their final cellular form. The Epigenetics Revolution: How Modern Biology Is Rewriting Our Understanding of Genetics, Disease, and Inheritance written by Nessa Carey, outlines the process of DNA versus Epigenetics, and the developments they have had within the scientific field. This paper will examine the fundamental distinction constructed by Nessa Carey between DNA as a script versus a template. This analogy of DNA as a script.

It is often thought that our DNA is a concert blue print and the way we personally engage with the environment has no effect on our future generation. However through experiments and recent studies, scientists have discovered external environmental factors can effect ones DNA sequence. It was found that genes have the ability to switch on and off and affect how cells read genes. This new avenue is called Epigenetics. Epigenetics is the study of heritable changes in gene expression. It describes the outward phenotypic appearance that is not the result to changes in the DNA sequence but instead, changes to the chemical tags that overlay the genome. Epigenetics is often described as the missing link between the environment an individual is exposed

The process of gametogenesis is where epigenetics is erased throughout each new generation supposedly. However, in 2005, reports were made that epigenetics undergoes four subsequent generations (Weinhold 2006). As for being able to reverse the genes given by the sperm and egg after they are already formed, is not possible. The only way a disorder like Angelman or Prader-Willi could be reversed is through the next generations. This explains how a mother can have two children and only one of them could end up with one of these disorders. Although there isn’t much to be done to try and reverse the effects of epigenetics once and individual has suffered from it, researches want more technology advances to go into the process of identifying genomically imprinted genes. More development of counting the number of protein in the cell to recognize better protein modification (Weinhold 2006). All of the recognized and know genes that are imprinted are tallied in the Mammalian Genetics research group. There is still a lot of room to grow and learn about epigenetics and all of the modified genes that occur in human bodies. Graduate school students are advancing technology for this reason. More specifically, technology for additional

This would be a mechanism for active transgenerational epigenetics progression. However, we cannot deny the recent data. Transgenerational epigenetics might be mainly passive as a result from the incomplete erasure of epigenetic marks through the development stages. As mentioned, evidence has been limited mainly to the F2 generation, only some reports have shown transgenerational epigenetics reaching the F3 and F4 generations; therefore, a strong positive feedback loop seems to be absent. If, however, epigenetics are a test-bed during evolution an intersection will exist. Either the new trait is beneficially, then the trait will be included in the genome and transformed to a hard-inheritance or the new trait is non-beneficial because the biotic or abiotic stress is dissipating, then the soft inheritance will fade

Epigenetics studies those chemical reactions that trigger activation or deactivation of genomoe, and then the study of those chemical reactions and their impact on genome can help to uncover how various chemical reactions influence cell mutations. For example, focusing on risk factors and main driving forces of the development of cancer, scientists can develop new remedies and methods of treatment of cancer that minimize the impact of risk factors and drivers causing the disease. Jablonka & Lamb (1995) noted that general organization of epigenetic system, being passed from ancestors to descendants, forms the body in the course of its individual development, while selection leads to stabilization of a number of successive ontogenesis, eliminating deviations from the norm (morphosis), and forming a sustainable path of development

Every human being possesses their own unique genetic code, called DNA. A person’s individual DNA structure is something that they are born with and will remain constant and unchanging throughout their lifetime. DNA is passed down from each of our parents, and is combined to form our own personal, specific inherited genetic information. This makes it seem like that every characteristic (physical and mental) a person possesses is in direct result of inheritance, unchangeable and unyielding. This is not the case, however. Epigenetics are different factors/circumstances/experiences that play a major role in influencing a person’s gene expression without actually changing their DNA/genetic code. A gene that exists in a person’s genotype is

Epigenetic means, in addition to changes in genetic sequence (Weinhold, 2006). It differs from genetics in various ways. Epigenetics examines alterations in gene expression caused by other mechanisms that do not alter the DNA sequences. This can cause identical twins to have different diseases. Genetics is a field of biology. The study of genes, genetic variation, and heredity encompass genetics. Every person inherits genes from both their parents (Mandal, 2013). Processes of epigenetics include methylation, acetylation, phosphorylation, ubiquitylation, and sumolyation. These processes can be a normal part of life but only if they occur properly (Weinhold, 2006).

DNA is a molecule which is inherited and contains the genetic instructions for the growth, development, reproduction and functions of all living things. Genes are made up of DNA and have instructions on have to make protein that carry out functions in a cell. Each human has about 20,000 to 25,000 genes (“What is a gene?,” 2017). However, your genes may not be expressed at all times. Different genes may be off or on at a certain time. The epigenome is a series of chemical modifications to DNA which determine which genes are read and how often. Epigenetics are the DNA modifications that don’t change the gene expression; however, change gene activity (“What is epigenetics?,” 2017). Stress, diet and exercise all control which genes are expressed or “on”.

Epigenetic characteristics are the process by which your genetic information is changed by environmental influences without an alteration in DNA. Some epigenetic effects occur at the beginning of life as biochemical elements silence methylation, which is the ephemeral of the chemical fragment call methyl group. The details of methylation are not clear to biologist as they are still trying to figure out how it develops and why it modifies gene expression. One interesting discovery to developmentalist is that the known diseases to be genetic (including cancer, schizophrenia and autism) are known to be epigenetic. One example of epigenetics is histone modification, which is increasing or confiscating chemical groups to or from histones.

Having this ability allows for very unique studies. A major study area is identical twins, twins allow for a unique perspective on the genome. Identical twins develop from the same fertilized egg which means they have the same genome; however, when the chromosomes are observed at a young age there are very little differences in the epigenetic tags, but when looked at much later in life there is numerous differences (“Insights From Identical Twins” 2016). This illustrates the vast differences that occur not from genetics, but rather the environment. Both fraternal and identical twins are very important in the understanding of genetics that relate to diseases and complex behaviors. While it is very interesting that the majority of epigenetic tags change it is also very helpful. Science now knows most tags change, not all tags change. Since the majority of tags stay the same that means that scientists can then isolate the few remaining genes and map them and they can find out what these genes do. If one twin experiences a disease or behavior the it is a better plan to look at differences in the environment rather than the genome; however, if both twins experience the behavior or disease it is a far superior plan to focus on the genome rather than differences in their environment(“Insights From

Epigenetics is defined as the study of heritable regulation of gene activity that is not determined by the genetic sequence. Our genes are the combination of four bases or parts labeled A, C, G and T, which when disrupted the call mutations. Today we know that genes are controlled by other mechanisms, for example by adding a chemical group called methyl DNA chain or adding another chemical group called acetyl histone proteins, the “keys” of our genome. Remember that genes are DNA fragments are expressed resulting RNA then produce a protein: almost everything we touch in our body are proteins, melanin in our skin, our blood hemoglobin, etc. Rigorous control genes must exist: we do not want a cell of the eye expresses a protein characteristic

Epigenetics studies genetic effects not encoded in the DNA sequence of an organism, hence the prefix epi- . Such effects on cellular and physiological phenotypic traits may result from external or environmental factors that switch genes on and off and affect how cells express genes. These alterations may or may not be heritable, although the use of the term epigenetic to describe processes that are heritable is controversial. instead, non-genetic factors cause the organism 's genes to behave differently.