Epigenetics

Epigenetics refers to how gene expression is influenced by our environment, e.g., everything we breathe, eat and put on our skin, along with physical and mental trauma. These environmental inputs affect which genes turn on and off, and when. External influences primarily work by triggering a cellular process called methylation that affects genetic function but doesn't change genetic structure.

Epigenetic changes are thought to be a part of numerous diseases, such as cancer, asthma and heart disease.

Gene on/off switch

 * Dr. Anthony Komaroff briefly discussed Epigenetics on November 10, 2016 on a Solve ME/CFS webinar. A gene can be normal and not mutated but it may not be turned on or off at the right time. Webinar with Dr. Anthony L. Komaroff @42:50


 * NOVA slideshow article by Nipam Patel, Gene Switches.
 * Slide 9 of 9: Later in an animal's development, epigenetic switches take over. These epigenetic mechanisms act to maintain the fate of cells by doing what the Hox genes and other transcription factors did earlier, namely, controlling the "on" and "off" state of genes within each cell.

Learn more

 * Investigator Report: Epigenetics of ME/CFS - Solve ME/CFS Initiative - Webinar August 21, 2014
 * Epigenetics - NOVA Science NOW Video 2007