Epigenetic Changes in Cancer

Distinctive cancer-associated patterns of CpG island hypermethylation are tumor type-specific and contribute decisively to the origin and development of human cancer.

Mom’s blood carries fetus genome

A complete copy of the fetal genome exists in the mother’s blood, suggesting many prenatal diagnoses could be performed noninvasively

Arsenic supports life?

The toxic element might be able to replace phosphorus to support microbial growth, casting doubt on the belief phosphorus is essential to life
A strain of bacteria isolated from a salt lake in California can grow on arsenic, seemingly in lieu of phosphorus in its DNA and other major biomolecules.

Aging Ills Reversed in Mice

Scientists have partially reversed age-related degeneration in mice, an achievement that suggests a new approach for tackling similar disorders in people.

By tweaking a gene, the researchers reversed brain disease and restored the sense of smell and fertility in prematurely aged mice. Previous experiments with calorie restriction and other methods have shown that aspects of aging can be slowed. This appears to be the first time that some age-related problems in animals have actually been reversed.

Age assay for forensics toolkit

A test that tracks declines in T cell byproducts can estimate a person’s age from a blood sample, and may someday help identify victims or perpetrators of crimes

“Epigenetics” drives phenotype?

Researchers have identified a possible mechanism by which DNA regions that don’t encode proteins can still determine phenotypic traits such as a person’s height or susceptibility to a particular disease, researchers report online in Science today. The scientists found that certain chromatin modifications often considered to be epigenetic — meaning, regulated by factors other than [...]

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