Epigenetics research investigates the heritable changes in gene expression (affecting the activity, inactivity, or expression of genes) that affect the phenotype of an individual (the set of observable characteristics) but not the genotype (the genetic code). These changes can be transferred, by the mitochondria, between daughter cells and, in some cases, to the progeny of an individual.
The exact molecular mechanisms underlying epigenetic modifications is both complex and myriad, with much still unknown. The complex interplay between DNA methylation, chromatin remodelling, and specific forms of RNA-mediated degradation that are involved in epigenetic modifications, still require further investigation. However, epigenetic modifications are believed to result from two interconnected processes; the covalent modification of histones and DNA methylation.
Under this model, DNA is shown to be reversibly methylated, potentially altering its activity without changing the underlying DNA sequence, whilst histones (associated DNA proteins) are covalently modified, impacting gene regulation, by processes, including: methylation, phosphorylation, acetylation, ubiquitination, and sumoylation. Epigenetic processes are both natural and essential, however, they can malfunction, causing adverse health and behavioural effects including cancer, neurodegeneration, and autism.
We offer a comprehensive portfolio of antibodies, proteins, and assays for epigenetics research that exhibit high specificity, activity, performance, and reproducibility in a range of techniques, including: Western Blot (WB), Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP), Immunohistochemistry (IHC), Immunofluorescence (IF), ELISA, and Immunocytochemistry (ICC). These tools are commonly used to study DNA methylation, RNA modifications, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs.