Category Archives: Nutrigenomics

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

Bee-lieve it! Epigenetics Differentiates the Hive : Guest Post by NEB Scientist Rick Feehery

Posted on November 11, 2011 by New England Biolabs

Keeping honeybees runs in our family. My wife’s father keeps many hives, his father kept hives, his father and so on. Our one hive this year produced over 30 pound of honey. Fresh honey is a real treat as the flavor stems from the local fauna: purple loosestrife and apple blossoms. Very different from what you get from the local food mart. Aside from the obvious agricultural benefit that honeybee provides, pollination of plants in the food chain, they are really fascinating insects to observe. Every other year on average in the spring time when the weather is warm and the sky is clear, we can hear a district loud buzzing sound from the hive. A mass exodus of bees … Continue reading →

Posted in Animal Models, DNA Methylation, Methyltransferases, Nutrigenomics | Tagged , , , , | 3 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

Eat Yourself Fitter? Diet, nutrition, and epigenetics.

Posted on April 12, 2011 by Chris Womack

Reader Della writes us on Twitter about two epigenetics tangents—diets for healthier gene expression and beliefs to hold (or “perceptions to gather,” I guess) for healthier gene expression. As it turns out, a few of us here at E3 were talking* about the epigenetics-diet connection too, so I’ll take a crack at the viewpoint in that Globe and Mail link above, which is based on this Clinical Epigenetics review by Syed Meeran and collegues at the University of Alabama. I’m sure we won’t neglect subject of epigenetics and beliefs for very long. The Globe and Mail article mentions the anti-cancer properties of broccoli, green tea, soy, grapes, tumeric, rosemary, and garlic. It also talks up the epigenetic benefits of a … Continue reading →

Posted in DNA Methylation, Gene Regulation, Histone Modifications, Nutrigenomics, Oncology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment