Category Archives: Neuroscience

Did Epigenetics Make Us Smart?

Posted on December 19, 2012 by Chris Womack

Finally there’s research comparing the epigenetic marks of human brain neurons to those of other primates, and it’s found real differences that make us function in a unique way. Do these epigenetic modifications help give us the brainpower for reflection, sentience, sapience, consciousness, and so forth? I’m not a gambler, but since primate neuron-specific genes don’t show a whole lot of difference from one another in their protein-coding sequences, that’s where I’d put my money. If I really had to. With only one study to look at so far, this line of inquiry is in its infancy, to be sure. No one else has looked at the epigenetic component of human brain evolution. Hennady Shulha, Jessica Crisci, and Schahram Akbarian at the University … Continue reading →

Posted in Applications, Chromatin Structure, Chromosome conformation capture, Conformation Capture, Divergent Transcription, Evolutionary Epigenetics, Gene Regulation, Histone Modifications, Neuroscience | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Canada Joins the International Human Epigenome Consortium – Q&A with Tomi Pastinen of Génome Québec

Posted on October 31, 2012 by Chris Womack

In an ambitious project investigating the interplay of environment, disease, and epigenetics, Canada is funneling $41 million into epigenomics research. It’s a multi-pronged effort to scrutinize a variety of tissue samples, disease states, and responses to environmental insults, so I called up Tomi Pastinen, the Canada research chair in human genetics, to learn more about the project. Here’s a lightly edited transcript of our conversation. But first, more about the project itself. It’s Canada’s entrée into the International Human Epigenome Consortium, and its announcement last week follows closely on the heels of last year’s launch of a European IHEC effort, BLUEPRINT (see our interview with the project’s Henk Stunnenberg here). While BLUEPRINT focused on blood epigenomes, which is common in … Continue reading →

Posted in Animal Models, Applications, DNA Methylation, Epigenome, Gene Regulation, Genomewide Methylation Profiling, Histone Modifications, Metabolism, Neuroscience, Next Gen Sequencing, Sodium Bisulfite Sequencing, Transcriptome | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Twin studies, Autism Risk, Epigenetic Molecular Trails in Utero

Posted on April 17, 2012 by Nicole Kelesoglu

Researchers are keen to identify environmental causes of autism, using epigenetics. Twin studies in particular offer unique opportunities for clever researchers. The eye opening results of the California Autism Twins Study (CATS) study, were that autism had a ~60% genetics basis and a ~40% environmental basis. This news has facilitated the idea that there is an epigenetic molecular trail to follow, to identify environmental causes of autism. One of those environmental factors correlating to autism risk is low birth weight. Yes, yes, well that seems to makes sense when you think of it in the context of premature births. But here again, twin studies show us further complexity. (As a side bar check out this blog post from Genomes Unzipped,  … Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, DNA Extraction / Purification, DNA Methylation, Developmental Biology, Immunohistochemistry, In Utero, Neuroscience, Twin studies | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Identical Twins are Not Identically Imprinted : Epigenome in Context of the Genome

Posted on October 28, 2011 by Nicole Kelesoglu

As is the case with their fingerprints, imprinted genes are NOT identical in identical twins. In fact, methylation levels vary notably, yet randomly, in localized imprinted regulatory regions, between MZ twins. Even cooler, a new epigenetics clue came out of demonstrating this imprinting variability. This month in PloS one, the collaborators from the Garvin Institute, the University of Nijmegen Medical Centre, the Queensland Institute of Medical Research and St. Vincent’s Clinical School, University of NSW, produced the paper Impact of the Genome on the Epigenome Is Manifested in DNA Methylation Patterns of Imprinted Regions in Monozygotic and Dizygotic Twins. by Marcel W. Coolen et al. Blood samples from 128 pairs of identical, and 128 pairs of fraternal teen aged twins, … Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, Bioinformatics, DNA Methylation, Developmental Biology, Divergent Transcription, Gene Regulation, Gene Silencing, Genomewide Methylation Profiling, In Utero, Mass Spec, Methylation Specific PCR, Next Gen Sequencing, Sodium Bisulfite Sequencing, Transcriptome microarray | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Video by Epigenie: Epigenetics in Autism-Spectrum Disorders with Dr Janine LaSalle

Posted on September 19, 2011 by Nicole Kelesoglu

Posted in Autism, Neuroscience | Leave a comment

To Succeed, Develop Your Talents Epigenetically

Posted on August 19, 2011 by Nicole Kelesoglu

While visiting Rio de Janeiro two weeks ago, I attended a soccer game. I’m not a big soccer fan. Yet there I was up on my feet, hollering. You just can’t help yourself. Brazilians are the best soccer players in the world! Inspired by that game, I read the book Bounce: Mozart, Federer, Picasso, Beckham and the Science of Success by the British, former ping pong champion turned journalist, Matthew Syed. The book presents evidence that success is driven primarily by effort, not genetics. Just the idea of innate talents, has a negative effect on motivation and success. Society would achieve more if everyone understood that expertise is concretely achievable – you are not just born with it. There are … Continue reading →

Posted in Behavioral Epigenetics, Biomarkers, Developmental Biology, Neuroscience | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Is Epigenetics the Basis of the ‘Autism Epidemic’?

Posted on May 1, 2011 by Nicole Kelesoglu

There is a proverb, said by the famous British historical literary critic, who published the first English Dictionary. “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” – Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) Today is the last day of April, which has been autism awareness month. I think it’s fitting to point out a provocative hypothesis of autism causation. Studies of folic acid metabolism and autism have been published over the past several years, by various authors. This recent paper King CR. A novel embryological theory of autism causation involving endogenous biochemicals capable of initiating cellular gene transcription. A possible link between twelve autism risk factors and the autism ‘epidemic’ Med hypotheses (2011) is interesting, since it presents a hypotheses that autism … Continue reading →

Posted in Animal Models, Autism, DNA Methylation, Developmental Biology, In Utero, Neuroscience | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

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

Epigenetic Technique Developments Flow Like the Milky Way

Posted on April 3, 2011 by Nicole Kelesoglu

Tianhe-1A at the National Supercomputer center in Tianjin, China, is currently the world’s fastest supercomputer. Tianhe means “Milky Way” in English…or the river in the sky. It strikes me as a lovely, but ironic name. Although, I suppose this “river of stars” is moving fast, in the context of the universe. That Milky Way idea coincidentally reminded me of how Epigenetics is being aided by rapid technique developments. Epigeneticists are calling for cheaper sequencing methods, paired with standardised data analysis methods. At the bench, you must carefully plan for the optimal utility of your currently available methods. However, it’s also important to your lab practice, to keep updated in this fast paced field. A major goal of the Epiexperts networking … Continue reading →

Posted in Animal Models, DNA Methylation, Enzymology, Genomewide Methylation Profiling, History & Trends, Methylation, Neuroscience, Next Gen Sequencing | Leave a comment

Targeting an Epigenetic Biomarker for Fragile X

Posted on March 7, 2011 by Nicole Kelesoglu

Epigenetics is bringing a needed perspective to a important public health issue. Many people with Fragile X have autism, or symptoms of autism. The condition is associated with learning, physical, social and emotional, speech and language, and sensory problems. Applied Behavioral Analysis treatment (ABA) is a set of methods which can be used to target and modify problematic symptoms and behaviors. It is effective – but also an arduous task in treating the symptoms of autism. Wouldn’t it be great if there was an epigenetic drug treatment which could be used with ABA producing an enhanced, synergistic effect? Neuroscience experts call Fragile X syndrome a disease of synaptic plasticity. Neuropychologists have already determined that early intervention produces the most effective … Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, Clinical Studies, Neuroscience, Translational Research, X-linked | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment