Cell Science and Molecular Biology

Epigenetics and Epigenomics

Epigenetics and Epigenomics are rapidly evolving fields in molecular biology that explore how gene expression is regulated by modifications that do not change the DNA sequence itself but affect how genes are turned on or off. These modifications can be influenced by various environmental factors and can have profound impacts on development, health, and disease. Study of heritable changes in gene expression that do not involve changes to the underlying DNA sequence. Includes DNA methylation, histone modification, chromatin remodeling, and non-coding RNA molecules. Study of the complete set of epigenetic modifications on the genetic material of a cell, known as the epigenome. Utilizes high-throughput sequencing technologies to map epigenetic modifications across the genome. ATP-dependent processes that alter chromatin structure, making DNA more or less accessible to transcription factors and other regulatory proteins. Epigenetic factors contribute to obesity, diabetes, and other metabolic conditions. Techniques like single-cell ATAC-seq and single-cell RNA-seq are providing insights into epigenetic heterogeneity within tissues Using CRISPR technology to precisely modify epigenetic marks and study their functional consequences