“Duke researchers have shown that microbes can control the actions of their animal hosts by manipulating the molecular machinery of animal cells, triggering patterns of gene expression that consequently contribute […]
Category: Epigenetics
Lupus Studies Point to Gut Microbes, Epigenetics
“We have thought for a long time that lupus and other autoimmune and inflammatory diseases like it are caused by both genetic and environmental factors and their interactions. Epigenetic modifications, […]
Epigenetic changes with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
“The study, which looks at epigenetic changes in people with CFS, is the first to identify differences in sensitivity to a hormone found in the body. Epigenetic changes can be […]
Mother’s diet in pregnancy may have lasting effects for offspring
“We were surprised that this change in diet permanently affected the expression of this imprinted gene,” said Professor Amanda Fisher, who led the study and is director of the MRC […]
Prenatal infection may alter brain development via epigenetic changes
“This study suggests that immunologic activation may be the connection between maternal infection to epigenetic changes that produce lasting changes in brain development,” said Editor of Biological Psychiatry
Viruses in genome important for our brain
“…They have determined that several thousands of the retroviruses that have established themselves in our genome may serve as “docking platforms” for a protein called TRIM28. This protein has the […]
High-sugar diet programs a short lifespan in flies
“Even while feeding on a healthy diet, the flies that had previously eaten a high-sugar diet started to die earlier, and on average had 7% shorter lifespans. This was caused […]
Overweight affects DNA methylation
“The extra pounds you gain during the holidays will not only show up on your hips but will also affect your DNA. This is the result of a large-scale international […]
Changes in the diet affect epigenetics via the microbiota
“research in mice is showing that microbes communicate with their hosts by sending out metabolites that act on histones—thus influencing gene transcription not only in the colon but also in […]
A new look at vitamin D challenges the current view of its benefits
“Research at the Buck Institute shows that vitamin D works through genes known to influence longevity and impacts processes associated with many human age-related diseases. The study, published in Cell […]