Background                             


Each and every one of the trillions of cells in the human body came from the original fertilized egg cell, so they have the same exact genetic make up, or genome. One of the enduring mysteries of biology is how cell assigns themselves to the different roles they will play throughout an individual's life.   According to researchers, this happens because there is a second layer of information embedded in the special proteins that package the DNA of the genome called the epigenome. The epigenome controls access to the genes, and it is in this way that cells are able to specialize into cells of the skin, hair, bone, heart and many others. (Citation-1)
 



 

 


Epigenetics is any process that alters gene activity without actually changing the DNA's sequence. A wide variety of illnesses, behaviors, and other health indicators have evidence linking them with epigenetic mechanisms, including: cancers of almost all types, Cardiovascular, reproductive, and neurobehavioral illnesses.(Citation-2) This website will focus on two of the best known epigenetic mechanisms called DNA methylation and histone deacetylation.


 



What is the potential?                                                                

Epigenetic Gene Therapy - Rather than trying to change DNA sequences, scientists can actually choose which genes they want to be expressed through the use of epigenetic mechanisms. The unwanted genes will be turned off to the advantage of the human being.



Timeline of Epigenetic Study                                                                        

 
 
 
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