Scientists have established comprehensive maps of the human epigenome, shedding light on how the body regulates which genes are active in which cells. Over the last five years, a worldwide consortium of scientists has established epigenetic maps of 2,100 cell types. Within this coordinated effort, the CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine contributed detailed DNA methylation maps of the developing blood, opening up new perspectives for the understanding and treatment of leukemia and immune diseases.
One of the great mysteries in biology is how the many different cell types that make up our bodies are derived from a single cell and from one DNA sequence, or genome. We have learned a lot from studying the human genome, but have only partially unveiled the processes underlying cell determination. The identity of each cell type is largely defined by an instructive layer of molecular annotations on top of the genome -- the epigenome -- which acts as a blueprint unique to each cell type and developmental stage.
Unlike the genome the epigenome changes as cells develop and in response to changes in the environment. Defects in the factors that read, write, and erase the epigenetic blueprint are involved in many diseases. The comprehensive analysis of the epigenomes of healthy and abnormal cells will facilitate new ways to diagnose and treat various diseases, and ultimately lead to improved health outcomes.
How far away from direct editing our genome are we, then?
Paper referenced in TFA.
Related topics:
Epigenetics, CRISPR Gene Editing, DNA Methylation
(Score: 2) by dlb on Saturday November 19 2016, @01:54PM
How far away from direct editing our genome are we, then?
To change the functioning of one of a person's body systems involves changing not only the genome, but the epigenome (a multitude of chemical compounds that can tell the genome what to do). Editing our genome to cure or improve our bodies involves a complexity that expands exponentially the more we find out about how to do it. My guess is that we're farther off than pop science in the news suggests. TFA admits as much:
One of the great mysteries in biology is how the many different cell types that make up our bodies are derived from a single cell and from one DNA sequence, or genome. We have learned a lot from studying the human genome, but have only partially unveiled the processes underlying cell determination...
(Score: 1) by Grey on Saturday November 19 2016, @09:33PM
I agree... although we *can* edit methylation with CRISPR: http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v537/n7622/full/537588c.html [nature.com]
(Score: 1) by Grey on Saturday November 19 2016, @09:29PM
Pretty cool stuff. I think the results are exciting and will be very helpful. Unfortunately I think it will still be awhile before we understand all these mechanisms well enough to start tinkering with ourselves safely (outside of certain very narrow domains): The headline of the article seems bit overblown to me. I don't think the work in the paper is a "comprehensive" map of the epigenome, instead it sounds as if they've made a lot of progress on understanding methylation and its effects (hurray!) in a developing cell line, but that's not the only way in which epigenetic information is transmitted. There are other mechanisms such as histone modification (briefly mentioned in the scientific article) and acetylation (to name only two). Each distinct cell-type should have its own pattern of methylation during development and at maturity (well... not red blood cells-- they don't carry DNA-- although their progenitors do)-- so to sum up: very exciting, important work, but I think we have a long way to go yet before we have a full grasp on the "comprehensive" epigenome of people. But very, very nice and worthy of celebration.
(Score: 2) by Geotti on Sunday November 20 2016, @01:19AM
defined by an instructive layer of molecular annotations on top of the genome -- the epigenome -- which acts as a blueprint unique to each cell type and developmental stage
Sounds like a header file to me. Who would have thought... ;)