Overview
Epigenomics tells us how the genome works
Characterising the epigenome is the next big step after determining the sequence of the genome
Epigenetic influences are major causes of disease
The epigenome is dynamic and can change in response to both intrinsic and extrinsic cues
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Table of contents(23 chapters)
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Epigenomic Technologies and Analytical Approaches
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Roles of DNA, RNA and Chromatin in Epigenomics
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Epigenetic Control of Developmental Processes
About this book
Epigenetic modifications act on DNA and its packaging proteins, the histones, to regulate genome function. Manifest as the heritable methylation of DNA and as post-translational histone modifications, these molecular flags influence the architecture and integrity of the chromosome, the accessibility of DNA to gene regulatory components and the ability of chromatin to interact within nuclear complexes. While a multicellular individual has only one genome, it has multiple epigenomes reflecting the diversity of cell types and their properties at different times of life; in health and in disease. Relationships are emerging between the underlying DNA sequence and dynamic epigenetic states and their consequences,such as the role of RNA interference and non-coding RNA. These integrated approaches go hand-in-hand with studies describing the genomic locations of epigenetic modifications in different cell types at different times.
The excitement and curiosity surrounding epigenomics is driven by a growing community of researchers in a burgeoning field and the development of new technologies built on the backbone of genome sequencing projects. Research has shown that the adaptability and vulnerability of epigenetic states has profound effects on natural variation, the response of the genome to its environment and on health and disease.
The aim of this volume is not to describe epigenomes, but rather to explore how understanding epigenomes tells us more about how biological systems work and the challenges and approaches taken to accomplish this. These contributions have attempted to integrate epigenomics into our understanding of genomes in wider context, and to communicate some of the wonders of epigenetics illustrated through examples across the biological spectrum.
Editors and Affiliations
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Department of Physiology Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, UK
Anne C. Ferguson-Smith
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Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx NY 10461, USA
John M. Greally
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Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, USA
Robert A. Martienssen
Bibliographic Information
Book Title: Epigenomics
Editors: Anne C. Ferguson-Smith, John M. Greally, Robert A. Martienssen
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-9187-2
Publisher: Springer Dordrecht
eBook Packages: Biomedical and Life Sciences, Biomedical and Life Sciences (R0)
Copyright Information: Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2009
Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-4020-9186-5Published: 19 December 2008
Softcover ISBN: 978-94-007-8954-8Published: 28 November 2014
eBook ISBN: 978-1-4020-9187-2Published: 05 December 2008
Edition Number: 1
Number of Pages: XIV, 438
Topics: Biomedicine general