Genomics:epigenomics

Epigenome is the kind of gene expression that occurs epigenetically. Epigenome occurs with no specific change on DNA sequences but with DNA methylation or histone transform.

We can find examples of epigenome with the cases of identical twins. Identical twins have exactly same DNA sequences when they born. But as they grow older, they show differences in their DNA. Extremely, one sister got cancer due to the problem in her DNA, but the other didn’t.

This case shows that the inherent DNA can be changed with acquired environment like what you eat, drink or how you smoke. Also this indicates that some diseases are not caused by given DNA sequences but by the epigenetic reasons.

This indicates two things. First, epigenetic problem occurs due to the way of your life. So you should be responsible for your epigenetic problems. Second, this indicates that we can find another way to cure the disease if the disease is caused epigenetically. We don’t need to fix the broken DNA but rearranging the tags. It is will be easier to rearranging the tags rather than fixing the broken gene.

I knew that DNA sequences can show different expressions due to epigenetic factors. But I didn’t know what it means in real life. It was very interesting that it indicates the hope of curing some genetic diseases. Study of epigenome will show more possibility of curing cancer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4boKud1MRk

 

Additional articles:

1. Breaking the Silence: The Rise of Epigenetic Therapy   http://jnci.oxfordjournals.org/content/94/12/874.full

2. Targeting Epigenetics for Cancer Therapy: Scores of Agents Capture Interest of Researchers  http://www.onclive.com/publications/oncology-live/2013/october-2013/targeting-epigenetics-for-cancer-therapy-scores-of-agents-capture-interest-of-researchers