Fundamentals Of Epigenetics

Fundamentals of Epigenetics provides concise yet complete information on the many aspects of the basic and most recent concepts in epigenetics, a branch of life science that deals with the mechanisms such as DNA modifications, histone modifications, RNA modifications, small and long non-coding RNAs, chromatin remodeling, which are involved in epigenetic control of gene expression without involving variations in DNA sequences. These regulatory mechanisms lead to phenotypic variations. These epigenetic mechanisms can be exploited for crop improvement and cure of human diseases. This book is primarily designed for undergraduate and graduate level students studying epigenetics in conventional, agricultural and medicinal universities. Teachers and researchers in any discipline of life sciences, agricultural sciences, medicine, and biotechnology, molecular epigenetics and biotechnology will also find it useful as a reference book.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​While there has been an increasing number of books on various aspects of epigenetics, there has been a gap over the years in books that provide a comprehensive understanding of the fundamentals of chromatin. ​Chromatin is the combination of DNA and proteins that make up the genetic material of chromosomes. Its primary function is to package DNA to fit into the cell, to strengthen the DNA to prevent damage, to allow mitosis and meiosis, and to control the expression of genes and DNA replication. The audience for this book is mainly newly established scientists ​and graduate students. Rather than going into the more specific areas of recent research on chromatin the chapters in this book give a strong, updated groundwork about the topic. Some the fundamentals that this book will cover include the structure of chromatin and biochemistry and the enzyme complexes that manage it.

Your genes play an important role in your health, but so do your behaviors and environment, such as what you eat and how physically active you are. Epigenetics is the study of how your behaviors and environment can cause changes that affect the way your genes work. Unlike genetic changes, epigenetic changes are reversible and do not change your DNA sequence, but they can change how your body reads a DNA sequence. Gene expression refers to how often or when proteins are created from the instructions within your genes. While genetic changes can alter which protein is made, epigenetic changes affect gene expression to turn genes "on" and "off." Since your environment and behaviors, such as diet and exercise, can result in epigenetic changes, it is easy to see the connection between your genes and your behaviors and environment. Researchers studying the microscopic roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans recently discovered a set of mutations that extended the worms' normal 2-3 week lifespan by up to 30%. This was exciting, not least because discoveries in animals such as roundworms can sometimes help us understand processes like ageing in humans. This was not the end of the story though, as the researchers found that the descendants of the long-lived roundworms could also live longer than normal, even if they only inherited the non-mutated version of the genes from their parents. This doesn't seem to make sense at first; surely characteristics such as hair colour, height and even how long we or a microscopic worm could potentially live are carried in the DNA sequence of the genes that we inherit from our parents. So how can we solve the conundrum of how the roundworms inherited the long lived characteristic, without inheriting the DNA sequence that initially caused it? The answer is epigenetics. GET YOUR COPY TODAY BY SCROLLING UP AND CLICKING BUY NOW TO GET YOUR COPY TODAY

Over the past decades, chromatin remodelling has emerged as an important regulator of gene expression and plant defense. This book provides a detailed understanding of the epigenetic mechanisms involved in plants of agronomic importance. The information presented here is significant because it is expected to provide the knowledge needed to develop in the future treatments to manipulate and selectively activate/inhibit proteins and metabolic pathways to counter pathogens, to treat important diseases and to increase crop productivity. New approaches of this kind and the development of new technologies will certainly increase our knowledge of currently known post-translational modifications and facilitate the understanding of their roles in, for example, host-pathogen interactions and crop productivity. Furthermore, we provide important insight on how the plant epigenome changes in response to developmental or environmental stimuli, how chromatin modifications are established and maintained, to which degree they are used throughout the genome, and how chromatin modifications influence each another.

Epigenetics refers to a field of study concerned with the changes in DNA that do not involve modifications to the underlying sequence. It entails genetic control by factors other than a person's DNA sequence. Epigenetic modifications can activate or deactivate genes and determine which proteins are transcribed. The modifications have various effects on gene expression. The types of epigenetic changes include non-coding RNA, DNA methylation and histone modification. Epigenetic patterns may be affected by a number of lifestyle factors including tobacco smoking, food, exposure to environmental toxins, working on night shifts, obesity, alcohol consumption, psychological stress and physical activity. Epigenetics is a developing area of scientific study that demonstrates how environmental influences such as children's experiences affect the expression of their genes. This book unravels the recent studies in the field of epigenetics. It presents researches and studies performed by experts across the globe. The readers would gain knowledge that would broaden their perspective in this area of study.

Twin and Family Studies of Epigenetics, Volume 27, the latest release in the Translational Epigenetics series, gathers expert opinions on epigenetic twin and family study research methods, recent findings across various disease areas, and future directions. The book provides in-depth coverage of epigenetics fundamentals, twin and family epigenetic study design, and the broader role of epigenetics in answering questions on the developmental origins of health and disease. Throughout the volume, twin and family studies are employed to examine causes of epigenetic variation, the relationship between epigenetic modifications and mental illness, cancers, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, and more. Emerging research methods applied in twin and family studies discussed include imaging epigenetics, exposure-specific DNA methylation changes, and unravelling time trends in epigenetic effects. Offers a practical, interdisciplinary approach across epigenetics, epidemiology and various disease specialties Applies epigenetic twin and family studies to determine the relationship between epigenetics and mental illness, cancers, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure, among other diseases and disorders Features chapter contributions from a wide range of international researchers in the field

"The Science of Epigenetics - A Comprehensive Overview" provides a comprehensive exploration of the fascinating field of epigenetics. From the fundamentals of epigenetic mechanisms to their role in development, disease, and aging, this book delves into the intricate connections between our genes and the environment. With a focus on the latest research and applications, this book offers a valuable resource for understanding the profound impact of epigenetics on human health and the potential for precision medicine interventions.

Clinical Precision Medicine: A Primer offers clinicians, researchers and students a practical, up-to-date resource on precision medicine, its evolving technologies, and pathways towards clinical implementation. Early chapters address the fundamentals of molecular biology and gene regulation as they relate to precision medicine, as well as the foundations of heredity and epigenetics. Oncology, an early adopter of precision approaches, is considered with its relationship to genetic variation in drug metabolism, along with tumor immunology and the impact of DNA variation in clinical care. Contributions by Stephanie Kramer, a Clinical Genetic Counselor, also provide current information on prenatal diagnostics and adult genetics that highlight the critical role of genetic counselors in the era of precision medicine. Includes applied discussions of chromosomes and chromosomal abnormalities, molecular genetics, epigenetic regulation, heredity, clinical genetics, pharmacogenomics and immunogenomics Features chapter contributions from leaders in the field Consolidates fundamental concepts and current practices of precision medicine in one convenient resource