Epigenetics

by Danny Reinberg (Editor), Thomas Jenuwein (Editor)

The regulation of gene expression in many biological processes involves epigenetic mechanisms. In this new volume, 24 chapters written by experts in the field discuss epigenetic effects from many perspectives. There are chapters on the basic molecular mechanisms underpinning epigenetic
regulation, discussion of cellular processes that rely on this kind of regulation, and surveys of organisms in which it has been most studied. Thus, there are chapters on histone and DNA methylation, siRNAs and gene silencing; X-chromosome inactivation, dosage compensation and imprinting; and
discussion of epigenetics in microbes, plants, insects, and mammals. The last part of the book looks at how epigenetic mechanisms act in cell division and differentiation, and how errors in these pathways contribute to cancer and other human diseases. Also discussed are consequences of epigenetics
in attempts to clone animals. This book is a major resource for those working in the field, as well as being a suitable text for advanced undergraduate and graduate courses on gene regulation.

Genres: Science, Genetics, Biology, Health, Nonfiction

502 pages, Paperback

First published October 31, 2006

Reviews

[Alina · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading this book, I finally have a solid notion of what that buzz word "epigenetics" is all about. It refers to a layer of chemical modulators that coat the genes and determine the extent to which certain genes are expressed. Epigenetic factors are determined by environment, esp. the environment of the womb. This is one of the reasons that the stresses encountered by a pregnant woman can have life-long effects on her child. In mammals (except in the special case of certain maternally or paternally stamped genes) epigenetic factors are normally stripped away during the creation of germ cells, so that offspring begin with a blank epigenetic slate. But there appear to be some instances where this doesn't happen, and epigenetic factors are inherited along with genes. The clearest case relates to coat characteristics in rodents. The author also gives a couple of examples of apparent epigenetic inheritance in humans. He presents lots of interesting information, but also argues strongly for a fundamental shift in the way we think about genes. To be fair, he warns you in the preface that he's going to do that. I found his argument both unconvincing and unpleasant to read, since he implies that anyone who doesn't see things his way is intellectually inferior. To me, the standard idea of inheritance is that genes and environment interact in complex ways to produce the characteristics of an organism. It's fascinating that we're beginning to understand one of the mechanisms of that interaction, but not really revolutionary -- at least not for mammals, for whom epigenetic inheritance appears to be a rare occurrence.

[Sonali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Comprehensive !

[The Book : An Online Review at The New Republic]

THERE HAS BEEN a revolution in the world of genetics. It is called epigenetics. The Greek prefix “epi” implies something that comes in addition to something else; epigenetics adds to the study of genes the study of how they get turned on or off. Read more...

[John Greally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cool.

[Huidou]

good book, must read