What is Epigenetics?
Our body is made up of trillions of cells, and each cell contains DNA—the instruction manual for life. However, even though all cells have the same DNA, they can behave differently. For example, a skin cell and a brain cell have the same DNA, but they perform completely different functions. This is because epigenetics helps determine which genes are turned on or off in each cell.
Our body is made up of trillions of cells, and each cell contains DNA—the instruction manual for life. However, even though all cells have the same DNA, they can behave differently. For example, a skin cell and a brain cell have the same DNA, but they perform completely different functions. This is because epigenetics helps determine which genes are turned on or off in each cell.
How Does Epigenetics Work?
Epigenetics controls gene activity through:
DNA Methylation – Small chemical tags attach to DNA and turn genes off.
Histone Modification – DNA is wrapped around proteins called histones. When these proteins change, they can tighten or loosen the DNA, affecting gene activity.
Non-Coding RNA – Some RNA molecules help control gene expression without making proteins.
Epigenetics controls gene activity through:
DNA Methylation – Small chemical tags attach to DNA and turn genes off.
Histone Modification – DNA is wrapped around proteins called histones. When these proteins change, they can tighten or loosen the DNA, affecting gene activity.
Non-Coding RNA – Some RNA molecules help control gene expression without making proteins.
Why Is Epigenetics Important?
Health & Disease: Epigenetic changes can influence diseases like cancer, diabetes, and mental disorders.
Environment & Lifestyle: Diet, stress, pollution, and exercise can affect epigenetics, which in turn impacts our health.
Inheritance: Some epigenetic changes can be passed from parents to children.
Health & Disease: Epigenetic changes can influence diseases like cancer, diabetes, and mental disorders.
Environment & Lifestyle: Diet, stress, pollution, and exercise can affect epigenetics, which in turn impacts our health.
Inheritance: Some epigenetic changes can be passed from parents to children.
yphsieh@mail.ntust.edu.tw
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Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (NTUST)
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