Essentials of Epigenetics

Epigenetics refers to a field of study concerned with the changes in DNA that do not involve modifications to the underlying sequence. It entails genetic control by factors other than a person's DNA sequence. Epigenetic modifications can activate or deactivate genes and determine which proteins are transcribed. The modifications have various effects on gene expression. The types of epigenetic changes include non-coding RNA, DNA methylation and histone modification. Epigenetic patterns may be affected by a number of lifestyle factors including tobacco smoking, food, exposure to environmental toxins, working on night shifts, obesity, alcohol consumption, psychological stress and physical activity. Epigenetics is a developing area of scientific study that demonstrates how environmental influences such as children's experiences affect the expression of their genes. This book unravels the recent studies in the field of epigenetics. It presents researches and studies performed by experts across the globe. The readers would gain knowledge that would broaden their perspective in this area of study.