New Rochelle, NY, February 3, 2010—Increasing numbers of research studies clearly demonstrate that genetics alone cannot explain the diversity of living organisms, reports Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News (GEN). Also driving the development of such complexity is epigenetics, and the February 1 issue of GEN contains three articles that illustrate the growing recognition of the importance of this emerging field of study.
"Scientists have shown that non-DNA-sequence-changing epigenetic phenomena such as histone modification, DNA methylation, and imprinting play an important role in the evolution of the variation and complexity found in the living world," says John Sterling, Editor in Chief of GEN. "Our February 1st issue will give readers up-to-date coverage of what's actually taking place in this exciting biological arena."
One article, "Epigenetics Offers Strategies for New Drugs" (www.genengnews.com/articles/chitem.aspx?aid=3168), discusses how scientists are using epigenetics to better understand how internal and external factors lead to cellular malfunctioning and impact the progression of human diseases.
"Epigenetic Research Surges on Many Fronts" (www.genengnews.com/articles/chitem.aspx?aid=3173) provides an overview of the key technologies involved in epigenetics' research, while "Insights Accrue on Epigenetic Modification" (www.genengnews.com/articles/chitem.aspx?aid=3177) details the latest scientific advances in laboratories studying epigenetics.
In addition, the February 2010 issue of Cellular Reprogramming (formerly Cloning and Stem Cells), which is also published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., is a special collection of articles focusing on epigenetic reprogramming. The entire issue will be free online (www.liebertpub.com/clo) later this week.