What is epigenetics and the practice of Medicine?
Epigenetics and the Practice of Medicine The epigenetic events that regulate gene expression have clearly emerged as a fundamental mechanism in developmental biology and in the pathogenesis of human disease.
What are epigenetic phenotypes and why do they matter?
With an incredible degree of complexity, epigenetic phenomena exert a profound influence on the regulation of how genetic information is transcribed and translated into proteins and phenotypes. With advanced technologies and knowledge, future discoveries regarding the pathogenesis of multifactorial and previously idiopathic diseases are possible.
What is epigenetic change in gene expression?
Epigenetics is defined as heritable changes in gene expression that are, unlike mutations, not attributable to alterations in the sequence of DNA. The predominant epigenetic mechanisms are DNA methylation, modifications to chromatin structure, loss of imprinting, and non-coding RNA [1].
How can epigenetics be used as treatment?
Epigenetic drugs seem to work well with radiation and chemotherapy. The drugs may make cancer cells more sensitive to these therapies, making them work better and more likely to prevent cancer from coming back. Your doctor can also use more than one epigenetic drug at a time.
How does epigenetics affect medicine?
Epigenetics and personalized/genomic medicine Genomic or personalized medicines are given to patients after collecting genomic information and associated data such as the levels of RNA, proteins and various metabolites that are crucial factors in medical decision making for personalized medicine [31].
Why is epigenetics important in medicine?
All your cells have the same genes but look and act differently. As you grow and develop, epigenetics helps determine which function a cell will have, for example, whether it will become a heart cell, nerve cell, or skin cell.
How can epigenetics be used in public health?
Chromatin remodeling, histone tail modifications, and DNA methylation are dynamic epigenetic changes responsive to external stimuli. Careful interpretation can provide insights for actionable public health through collaboration between population and basic scientists and through integration of multiple data sources.
What is the role of epigenetics in pharmacological action?
Epigenetic regulation of gene activity has been shown to be important in maintaining normal phenotypic activity of cells, as well as having a role in development and diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's.
What is epigenetics pharmacology?
Epigenetics, in its simplest interpretation, is the study of the regulation of a genes' transcriptional potential. The epigenome is established during development but is malleable throughout life by a wide variety of drugs, with both clinical utility and abuse potential.
Why is epigenetics important in nursing?
Epigenetic changes to the genome are biochemical alterations to the DNA that do not change an individuals genome but do change and influence gene expression. As all nurses are trained in the biological sciences the profession is prepared to conduct and integrate epigenetic-focused nursing research into practice.
What are some examples of epigenetics?
Examples of epigenetics Epigenetic changes alter the physical structure of DNA. One example of an epigenetic change is DNA methylation — the addition of a methyl group, or a "chemical cap," to part of the DNA molecule, which prevents certain genes from being expressed. Another example is histone modification.
What applications does epigenetics have?
The epigenetic agents work by increasing chromatin accessibility through chromatin decomposition. Indications under investigation for these combinations include metastatic melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer. Epigenetic drugs combined with radiotherapy promote DNA damage and cell apoptosis.
How the science of epigenetics can influence the health of individuals and families?
Incorrect epigenetic marks can result in birth defects, childhood diseases, or symptoms of diseases in other interims of life. Epigenetic mechanisms also regulate development and adaptations during the life of an organism, and their alterations may result in various disorders such as cancer.
What are the implications of epigenetics?
A key implication of epigenetics research is that many environmental and hazardous exposures will affect not only the exposed individuals, but possibly their progeny and subsequent generations. This insight will create new challenges for environmental and health regulation, as well as for intergenerational equity.
What factors affect epigenetics?
Epigenetic marks can be affected by exposure to metals, air pollution, benzene, organic pollutants, and electromagnetic radiation [98]. Chemical and xenobiotic compounds in water or the atmosphere are other potential environmental stressors capable of changing epigenetic status.