Epigenetics: Beyond the genetics and Medicine

Abstract

Genetics cannot solely explain genetic variations in humans and disease developments. We see varying differences in phenotypes and disease susceptibility in organisms that have the same genetic make-up, e.g., monozygotic twins and cloned animals. The information carried by the genomic sequence is the blueprint, but the final product requires environmental determinants. Here comes the concept of epigenetics, as it is the framework where biochemical interactions between the genome and the environment blend. We can describe epigenetics as mechanisms that are beyond genetics, as such mechanisms alter the result of the genomic blueprint without altering the information itself, i.e., the sequence. Both epigenetics and epigenomics are trending research fields to better evaluate the genotype and the phenotype. The methylation of genetic material is a well-studied and well-known epigenetic marker.