Epigenomics
by Anne C. Ferguson-Smith /
2009 / English / PDF
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Epigenetic modifications act on DNA and its packaging proteins,
the histones, to regulate genome function. Manifest as the
heritable methylation of DNA and as post-translational histone
modifications, these molecular flags influence the architecture
and integrity of the chromosome, the accessibility of DNA to gene
regulatory components and the ability of chromatin to interact
within nuclear complexes. While a multicellular individual has
only one genome, it has multiple epigenomes reflecting the
diversity of cell types and their properties at different times
of life; in health and in disease. Relationships are emerging
between the underlying DNA sequence and dynamic epigenetic states
and their consequences,such as the role of RNA interference and
non-coding RNA. These integrated approaches go hand-in-hand with
studies describing the genomic locations of epigenetic
modifications in different cell types at different times.
Epigenetic modifications act on DNA and its packaging proteins,
the histones, to regulate genome function. Manifest as the
heritable methylation of DNA and as post-translational histone
modifications, these molecular flags influence the architecture
and integrity of the chromosome, the accessibility of DNA to gene
regulatory components and the ability of chromatin to interact
within nuclear complexes. While a multicellular individual has
only one genome, it has multiple epigenomes reflecting the
diversity of cell types and their properties at different times
of life; in health and in disease. Relationships are emerging
between the underlying DNA sequence and dynamic epigenetic states
and their consequences,such as the role of RNA interference and
non-coding RNA. These integrated approaches go hand-in-hand with
studies describing the genomic locations of epigenetic
modifications in different cell types at different times.
The excitement and curiosity surrounding epigenomics is driven by
a growing community of researchers in a burgeoning field and the
development of new technologies built on the backbone of genome
sequencing projects. Research has shown that the adaptability and
vulnerability of epigenetic states has profound effects on
natural variation, the response of the genome to its environment
and on health and disease.
The excitement and curiosity surrounding epigenomics is driven by
a growing community of researchers in a burgeoning field and the
development of new technologies built on the backbone of genome
sequencing projects. Research has shown that the adaptability and
vulnerability of epigenetic states has profound effects on
natural variation, the response of the genome to its environment
and on health and disease.
The aim of this volume is not to describe epigenomes, but rather
to explore how understanding epigenomes tells us more about how
biological systems work and the challenges and approaches taken
to accomplish this. These contributions have attempted to
integrate epigenomics into our understanding of genomes in wider
context, and to communicate some of the wonders of epigenetics
illustrated through examples across the biological spectrum.
The aim of this volume is not to describe epigenomes, but rather
to explore how understanding epigenomes tells us more about how
biological systems work and the challenges and approaches taken
to accomplish this. These contributions have attempted to
integrate epigenomics into our understanding of genomes in wider
context, and to communicate some of the wonders of epigenetics
illustrated through examples across the biological spectrum.
