Category Archives: Genetics

New Years Resolution, Reflection on Cancer Research

Posted on January 14, 2013 by Nicole Kelesoglu

The beginning of a new year is a time for reflection. There have been two news items which have struck me in regard to epigenetics and cancer research, recently. Dr. James Watson, Nobel Prize winner, and co-discoverer of the double helix structure of DNA, has published a controversial, open access paper in the journal Open Biology. Cancer research has not produced cures, but merely temporary life extentions for those facing metastatic cancers. The sequencing of the human genome and identification of individual cancer cell mutation drivers of disease, have not produced cures. Dr. Watson points out that once cancer turns metastatic, resistance to gene-targeted drugs is rampant. In the metastatic process, DNA sequence mutations often don’t change. Rather their expression … Continue reading →

Posted in Epigenome, Genetics, History & Trends, Oncology | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

O-GlcNAcylation Epigenetic Mark is Palatable Research

Posted on June 14, 2012 by Nicole Kelesoglu

It’s well known that modern high calorie, sugary diets correlate with increasing rates of diabetes, obesity, neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s in particular), and cancers. Metabolic dis-regulation is associated and SUSPECT in all of these health problems. There are already over 14,000 records in the E3 Epigenetics publication database containing the word ‘Metabolism’. Researchers hope to show direct epigenetic events, leading to these disease outcomes. One such link, is the post-translational modification (PTM), O-GlcNAcylation. With the recent development of O-GlcNAc antibodies (thanks partially to grant initiatives by NCI in 2010), and improved mass spec techniques, the study of this unique type of sugar based PTM has become palatable. NIH scientists John A. Hanover, Michael W. Krause and Dona C. Love have just … Continue reading →

Posted in Cellular Biology, Enzymology, Gene Regulation, Genetics, Histone Modifications, History & Trends, Mass Spec, Metabolism, Nutrigenomics, O-GlcNAcylation | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Will Epigenetics Help Overcome Cisplatin Resistance in Ovarian Cancers?

Posted on January 10, 2012 by Nicole Kelesoglu

Hello Epiexperts! There are a couple recent open access papers to point out to you this week. Both relate to ovarian cancer progression and desensitization to the chemotherapy, Cisplatin. Cisplatin resistance is the primary obstacle to surviving ovarian cancer. These cancers are rare thankfully, but the 5 year survival rate is only 15-20%. Epigentics researchers are actively engaged in confronting this challenging disease. There are several Phase II clinical trials in progress for individual and combinational therapies using DNA methylation inhibitors and histone deacetlase (HDAC) inhibitors. Until those epigenetics based therapy trial results are available, as things stand, the current outlook is bleak. Please see this piece by Donna Trussell, in the Washington Post. She writes from her personal perspective … Continue reading →

Posted in Bioinformatics, Biomarkers, Clinical Studies, DNA Methylation, Databases, Genetics, Genomewide Methylation Profiling, History & Trends, Methylated DNA Capture, Next Gen Sequencing, Oncology, Real-time PCR, Sodium Bisulfite Sequencing, Transcriptome microarray | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Cellular Trash to Treasure – Exosomes

Posted on May 27, 2011 by Nicole Kelesoglu

Blood-Based Gene Expression Signatures in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.Clin Cancer Res. 2011 May 15 Thomas Zander, Andrea Hofmann, Andrea Staratschek-Jox, et al has been big in the international news recently. The authors are aiming to develop an RNA-stabilized blood test for asymptomatic lung cancer, using gene expression profiles, from what they believe to be immune effector blood cells – not cancer cells. The prognosis for lung cancer once you already have symptoms, is terrible. Their work is great news because this kind of non-invasive diagnostic test is desperately needed. However, there is another promising approach to transcriptome signature diagnostics to be aware of…Microvesicle shuttled RNA. Microvesicles, (MV), were once considered just cellular debris. We now know that blood, and many … Continue reading →

Posted in Applications, Biomarkers, Clinical Studies, Diagnostics, Flow Cytometry, Genetics, History & Trends, Next Gen Sequencing, Oncology, Pathology, Real-time PCR, Virology, microRNA, siRNA | Leave a comment

Are your Allergies an Evolutionary Advantage?

Posted on May 13, 2011 by Nicole Kelesoglu

Many of my neighbors spent a long day outside on Mother’s day, in their running shoes…chasing a black bolt of lighting in and out of the woods, and down the road. But who could really blame that run away miniature schnauzer? It’s finally spring! Of course, there are some of us (up to 30%) who can’t enjoy spring time quite as much, due to our seasonal allergies.  The epigenetic inheritance of allergies makes sense conceptually.  Allergic disease overall, which includes atopic asthma, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, anaphylactic reactions and food allergies, is on the rise generationally. Allergies have some genetic basis, but triggers and timing vary, even between twins. Allergy suffers can blame their high levels of total serum IgE antibodies, for … Continue reading →

Posted in Cellular Biology, Developmental Biology, Evolutionary Epigenetics, Genetics, Immunology, In Utero, Pathology | Leave a comment

Epigenetics, Eh! to Promote Canadian Collaboration

Posted on April 30, 2011 by Nicole Kelesoglu

Late registration is still available online for Epigenetics Eh!, the Canadian Conference on Epigenetics, which is taking place in London, Ontario from May 4 to May 7th, 2011. Part of the stated mission for this conference is to promote a Canadian Epigenetics Research Network (EPIGENETICS CANADA). The epigenetic research areas of the speakers for this conference include, but are not limited to the following. Diabetes Early detection of cancer Leukemia Pluripotency in ES cells Proteomics to study protein import into the nucleus Genomic CNV and epigenetic changes in Neurobehavioral disorders Chromatin factors in brain development Molecular mechanisms underlying cell fate specification, proliferation, and differentiation of neural stem cells Genomic imprinting X chromosome inactivation Dicer expression and/or microRNA function. ING family … Continue reading →

Posted in Applications, Bioinformatics, Biomarkers, Cellular Biology, Chromatin Structure, DNA Methylation, Developmental Biology, Divergent Transcription, Evolutionary Epigenetics, Gene Regulation, Gene Silencing, Genetics, Hematology, Histone Modifications, Leukemia, Neuroscience, Non-coding RNA, Plant Epigenetics, Reproductive Biology, Stem Cells, Translational Research, chIP, siRNA | 2 Comments

Maybe a Few Moving Parts — Genes, Disease, and Priorities

Posted on April 27, 2011 by Chris Womack

In case you missed it, there’s a dust-up in the online bioscience community about whether or not the Human Genome Project and genomic association studies in general have been worth the effort. While it’s great to debate whether gene sequences are helping humanity understand disease, they’re only a part of those convoluted processes, and it’s a little strange that’s not part of the conversation. The latest salvo struck last week in the form of a Guardian column by Bioscience Resource Project Executive Director Jonathan Latham, ominously titled “The Failure of the Genome.” Among all the genetic findings for common illnesses, such as heart disease, cancer and mental illnesses, only a handful are of genuine significance for human health. Faulty genes … Continue reading →

Posted in Genetics, History & Trends, Nutrigenomics | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment