Introduction to Epigenetics

To introduce you to epigenetics, I’ll start off with an example:

If you have the same sentence, but you change the punctuation, the meaning is changing.

·         My favorite flavor of Hot Pockets by far is ham and cheese. I am not sure what to make of this “Limited Edition” Spicy Hawaiian Style Pizza. But I’ll try almost anything once. 

·         My favorite flavor of Hot Pockets by far is ham. And cheese I am not sure what to make of. This “Limited Edition” Spicy Hawaiian Style Pizza? But I’ll try, almost. Anything! Once! 

The study of this “genetic punctuation” is called epigenetics. The prefix epi means over or above. So epigenetics means above genetics. An epigenom does not change DNA but it decides how much or whether some certain genes are expressed.  Simplified, a genome is like the hardware of your computer but the epigenome is like the software that tells the hardware what to do. The genom does the work, but the epigenom says how to do the work. Tiny chemical tags, called methyl groups are attached to the DNA. In essence, the tags can shut down or turn on genes. Not only that, but the tags are inherited by the next generation as well.

Most epigenetic information of a parent is copied to his or her children’s genom, but also fresh ones are created for this new embryo. Some get stuck on the DNA and are passed from generation to generation. Epigenomes change throughout our entire life. A genetic trait is not only a product of genes but also of environment. They are influenced by what we do, what we eat, how stressed out we are and other factors.  A bad diet, for example, can lead methyl groups binding to the wrong place. Because of these bad “instructions”, cells become abnormal and become a disease.

Epigenetics is an exciting area of genetic research that will give answers to how the genetic code on your DNA is affected by aging, your environment, and other circumstances.