Epigenetics

Introduces the field of epigenetics that aims to understand the mechanisms, outside the DNA sequence, that influence gene function and regulation and the various factors that affect these mechanisms.

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DNA is touted as containing the blueprint of life. Therefore, changes in the blueprint will have an impact on the living organism. While this has been proven to be usually true, it has also been established that heritable changes in gene function can occur even if the DNA remains unchanged. Epigenetics: Beyond Genetics introduces the field of epigenetics that aims to understand the mechanisms, outside the DNA sequence, that influence gene function and regulation and the various factors that affect these mechanisms. It provides an in-depth look at how two of the epigenetic mechanisms, namely DNA methylation and histone modification, are at work, especially in the human or mammalian milieu.