Epigenetic Engineering and Regulation of Gene Expression
Epigenetics encompasses gene expression regulation that occurs independently of DNA sequence alterations. This chapter covers essential mechanisms of epigenetic control, including DNA methylation and histone modifications, alongside advanced tools like CRISPR for targeted editing. It also explores the potential applications in therapies, developmental biology, and the implications of reversibility and heritability of these modifications.
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Sections
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5.1Description
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5.3Section 1: What Is Epigenetics?
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5.4Section 2: Key Epigenetic Mechanisms
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5.5Section 3: Epigenetic Engineering Tools
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5.6Section 4: Applications Of Epigenetic Engineering
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5.7Section 5: Reversibility And Heritability
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5.8Section 6: Challenges And Limitations
What we have learnt
- Epigenetics involves heritable changes in gene expression not linked to DNA sequence changes.
- Key mechanisms include DNA methylation and histone modification, which influence gene accessibility.
- Tools such as CRISPR-dCas9 allow for specific epigenetic modifications.
- Applications range from cancer therapy to neurological disorder treatment and regenerative medicine.
- Epigenetic modifications can be reversible, raising both therapeutic potential and ethical concerns.
Key Concepts
- -- Epigenetics
- The study of heritable changes in gene expression that do not involve alterations in the DNA sequence.
- -- DNA Methylation
- A biochemical process that typically represses gene expression by adding methyl groups to DNA.
- -- Histone Modification
- The addition or removal of chemical groups to histone proteins, affecting how DNA is packaged and accessed for transcription.
- -- CRISPRdCas9
- A customizable genome editing tool used to modify gene expression at specific DNA regions without cutting the DNA.
- -- Reversibility and Heritability
- The potential for epigenetic changes to be reversed and their ability to be passed down through cell generations.
Additional Learning Materials
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