The Epigenetics Revolution: How Modern Biology is Rewriting Our Understanding of Genetics, Disease and Inheritance

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Carey, Nessa (19 February 2015). "The epigenomics roadmap: more exciting than the Genome Project?". BBC World Service Radio . Retrieved 27 January 2017. a b "People". Nature Biotechnology. 24 (8): 1038. 1 August 2006. doi: 10.1038/nbt0806-1038. S2CID 219544127. Precisely as a field, however, epigenetics seems to flourish in the remarkable ambiguity of its defining term, with its apparent ability to accommodate – and productively align – a rather diverse range of biological questions and epistemic stances. Echoing Rheinberger's (2003) endorsement for an ‘epistemology of the imprecise', we argue that the ability to entertain multiple understandings of what constitute epigenetic phenomena, and hence multiple ways to secure epigenetic evidence, is foundational to epigenetics' rise, both as a scientific discipline and as a popular phenomenon. Expanding on the notion of ‘boundary object' ( Star and Griesemer, 1989), Rheinberger (2003) framed the gene as a boundary object that molecular biology has been gradually encasing within an eminently flexible boundary concept, thus supporting the claim that ‘boundary objects require boundary concepts' because, “as long as the objects of research are in flux, the corresponding concepts must remain in flux, too”. The same we believe applies today to epigenetics, with its elusiveness ( Dupré, 2012), polysemantic nature ( Morange, 2002, p. 56) and coexistence of multiple accepted meanings for some of its basic features ( Haig, 2004; see also Bird, 2007 and Ptashne, 2007).

Epigenetics revolution : how modern biology is rewriting our Epigenetics revolution : how modern biology is rewriting our

Here we briefly focus on two such controversies whose implications appear particularly far-reaching for the strands of sociological inquiry that we pursue in this work. The philosopher of science Thomas Kuhn once wrote that 'when paradigms change, the world itself changes with them'. What then will be the broader implications of our increasing understanding of epigenetic phenomena and their molecular principles? The science of regenerative medicine and the technology of induced pluripotent stem cells – both discussed in 'The Epigenetics Revolution' – offer tremendous potential for the future treatment of human disease. Carey also discusses so-called 'epigenetic therapies' for cancer that, whilst still in the embryonic phase, may be powerful tools in the future. For now though, much work remains and we must guard strongly against the raising of false hope. Oxford UNIQ Biology summer school allowed me to develop my practical skills and uncover a breadth to the subject which I had been unaware of; I learned to use gel electrophoresis to sequence DNA, investigated cooperation between bacteria and explored the behaviour of parasitic nematode worms. I particularly enjoyed gaining an in depth understanding of Huntington's disease during our group project. We examined the genetic abnormalities which cause the disease and the ethical questions raised by our ability to diagnose it given its irreversibility. I relished the opportunity to apply my knowledge of genetics and learn about biological processes in greater detail.I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book because it touches on a subject which is largely overlooked by the A Level Biology syllabus and yet it is such a relevant and fast-moving field in biology in recent years, with many potentially significant clinical and diagnostic applications. Epigenetics is what happens when genes are actually in action: in the growth of the foetus, in responding to hormones and environmental stress, to learning, to maturation at puberty. In all of these processes genes are modified slightly and act differently from that point on. In short, epigenetics is where nature meets nurture. The grounds for excitement stem from the fact that this old and frequently sterile dichotomy is now being fleshed out with real knowledge of how genes are controlled and how they respond to life situations.

The Epigenetics Revolution by Nessa Carey | Perlego [PDF] The Epigenetics Revolution by Nessa Carey | Perlego

Carey, Nessa (2016). "Epigenetics – from under the radar to over the top?" (PDF). RSC News. March 2016: 14. Hence the idea sometimes put forward that epigenetics has put an end to the reign of the “all-genome”, this tenacious determinism imposed by our genetic code. Carey] provides an excellent and largely accurate account of a fascinating and fast-moving area of modern biology. Jonathan Hodgkin, Times Literary Supplement If you want to move past the simple 2D picture of human health that standard genetics provides, then you’re in for a treat. Similarly, we argue that epigenomic profiles, in their expanding variety, provide the new place holders to anchor the environment to the genome and enable the attending analogic–digital translations, conceptually as much as experimentally.The very notions of a “decade of the epigenome” ( Martens et al, 2011) or even of an “era of epigenetics” ( Hurd, 2010) reveal how rapidly epigenetics has been rising to that level of salience, in both scientific and societal imaginary, that warrants the dedication of defined timescales in public attention and investment. And despite the fact that this ‘decade' has just begun, it is not too early to reflect on the societal impact of epigenetics. As we have already seen in the past for genetics, neuroscience or stem cells, often pioneering but preliminary findings are construed as providing evidence upon which to draw consequences for human health and well-being, especially by policymakers, media commentators, life-style advisers and sometimes natural and social scientists themselves.

The Epigenetics Revolution: How Modern Biology is Rewriting

Carey, Nessa (25 February 2015). "The Epigenetics Revolution. Part of the Brighton Science Festival". Eastbourne Sceptics in the Pub . Retrieved 27 January 2017. If we return to our Shakespearean analogy, we can look at DNA methylation and histone modifications as a kind of shorthand that actors use to alter their scripts. DNA methylation says, “Omit this,” while histone modifications tell an actor how loudly and intensely they should deliver certain lines. Now that we know what epigenetics is, and how it works, let’s look at some of its ramifications for humans. After all, it’s not just inbred mice that are affected! Badyaev, Alexander V. (1 March 2013). "Defining Epigenetics in Deterministic Terms". BioScience. 63 (3): 224–227. doi: 10.1525/bio.2013.63.3.11.a b c d e "International Trainers | Dr Nessa Carey". Praxis Unico . Retrieved 22 January 2017. [ permanent dead link]