Epigenetics refers to additional information added onto our DNA that influences how genes are utilized without changing their sequence. Epigenetic changes occur through chemical modifications to genes or histones and can influence expression without altering our genetic code.
New scientific research demonstrates how early experiences can alter the chemical signals that regulate when and if genes are expressed – rendering the nature-versus-nurture debate far less straightforward.
Personalized Medicine
Genetics is well known; our kits help us discover our ancestry and particular genes associated with disease. But less understood is how changes to DNA sequence do not necessarily translate to physical changes – that’s where epigenetics comes in!
The epigenome is a set of chemical markers that regulate how our genes are expressed through biochemical pathways such as DNA methylation and histone modification. Furthermore, our epigenome can even change our chromosome structure to allow greater gene expression by relaxing tightly packed histone proteins to enable gene expression.
Experiences early in life can have a lasting effect on how our genes manifest themselves throughout life, impacting both our ability to build healthy habits and resilience to challenges. Through supportive relationships, nutritious diet, and restful sleep patterns, they can activate our genes’ potential for health, skills, and happiness.
Personalized Treatments
Many are familiar with DNA testing kits that can tell them if their genes have variants associated with disease, but genes aren’t the sole factor that determine whether or not you become sick. Epigenetics research examines mechanisms of gene regulation without altering DNA sequence (such as DNA methylation).
Studies have revealed that external influences such as diet, stress and chemical exposure can alter our methylation patterns in order to control how genes are expressed – this process is known as epigenetic inheritance.
Epigenetic analysis provides the ability to detect diseases at their early stages. Alterations to epigenetic markers can be detected in blood samples, tissue samples and even cell-free DNA circulating throughout the body – this allows physicians to select an effective therapy plan and predict patient responses to certain drugs; especially beneficial when dealing with cancer treatments where resistance develops quickly.
Personalized Prevention
As we gain more understanding of the genome, we also gain more insight into its regulation. Epigenome refers to chemical compounds that modify gene activity and protein production through modifications like adding or subtracting methyl groups from specific DNA locations – errors in this process known as epigenetics can lead to diseases.
Epigenomes can also be affected by environmental factors like diet, exercise, stress, toxins and infections; these environmental influences may alter which genes are active within cells and this inheritance process known as epigenetic inheritance can then pass down through generations.
Personalised prevention can reduce disease risks by identifying individuals at high risk using biological and other predictive markers, and using personalized interventions as targeted interventions. It could complement rather than replace public health screening programs like biennial mammography screening for breast cancer and annual colorectal cancer screening; however, for personalized prevention to be feasible it will require increasing health literacy as well as acceptability of personalized interventions.
Personalized Recovery
People generally understand that their genetics play an influence in how they react to certain situations; however, there remains little understanding as to how epigenetics works and can alter genes as a result of environmental exposures.
Epigenetics refers to chemical changes that influence gene activity without altering DNA sequence. DNA serves as the building block of cells and contains instructions for producing proteins; genes can be turned on or off using chemicals attached either to DNA itself, proteins that package it (histones), or messenger molecules like RNA that travel along nerve cells and deliver information across them.
Epigenetic processes regulate how cells develop and specialize, for instance turning stem cells into nerve or skin cells. They play an essential role during development and some epigenetic patterns may even be passed down from generation to generation; studies have demonstrated how early experiences with supportive relationships and low stress leave an epigenetic mark that promotes brain health in later life.
