Epigenetics is the study of changes in gene expression from "summary" of Lifespan by David Sinclair,Matthew D. Laplante
One of the most fascinating aspects of genetics is the study of epigenetics. This field focuses on the changes in gene expression that occur without altering the underlying DNA sequence. In other words, epigenetics explores how external factors can influence which genes are turned on or off within our cells. Imagine our DNA as the instruction manual for building and maintaining our bodies. Epigenetics, then, can be seen as the editor of this manual. It determines which sections are highlighted, which paragraphs are underlined, and which sentences are crossed out. These changes in gene expression can have profound effects on our health and longevity. One of the key mechanisms of epigenetics is through the modification of histones, which are proteins that help package our DNA into a compact structure inside the cell. By adding or removing chemical tags on histones, our cells can control how tightly or loosely the DNA is wrapped. This, in turn, affects which genes are accessible for transcription and which are not. Another important aspect of epigenetics is DNA methylation, a process in which methyl groups are added to specific locations on the DNA strand. These methyl groups can serve as signals to turn genes on or off. They can also be passed down from parent to offspring, providing a mechanism for inheriting epigenetic changes across generations. Epigenetics reveals the dynamic nature of our genetic material. It shows that our genes are not static entities but are constantly responding to the environment and our lifestyle choices. By understanding how epigenetic changes occur, we can potentially harness this knowledge to improve our health and increase our lifespan.
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