March 2022 | What is Epigenetics?

Epigenetic Marks Indicate Early Type 1 Diabetes Risk

March 29, 2022 Natalie Crowley

We hear a lot about the rise in type 2 diabetes worldwide, which primarily affects people in their 40s and 50s. But the same is also true for the less common type 1 diabetes (T1D). Global rates for this autoimmune disease have been increasing in recent years, and the trend is very troubling. T1D usually occurs in younger people and has a greater potential for causing disabilities and early death. No one knows exactly why this disease has risen significantly [more…]

3D-Imaging for Epigenetic Changes in the Brain

March 15, 2022 Natalie Crowley

For centuries, scientists and philosophers have been fascinated with learning about the brain. However, it hasn’t been until the last few decades that we’ve really been able to examine this complex organ in action. One advanced technology that has revolutionized our understanding of the human brain is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). While this method has been extremely useful for measuring neural activity, it hasn’t been used to assess gene regulation – that is, until now. The University of Illinois (U [more…]

How Epigenetics Can Restrict Parent-Specific Gene Information

March 1, 2022 Natalie Crowley

Children are a blend of both their parent’s genes, but not necessarily in an equal way. Some genes inherited from either the father or mother are epigenetically marked with information that causes them to be inactive. This phenomenon is known as genomic imprinting and, although normal, could lead to disease if combined with mutations. For the most part, we acquire two working copies of each gene – one from our dad and one from our mom. Although in genomic imprinting, [more…]

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