What is meant by the term ‘epigenetics’ or gene expression?
Epigenetics refers to inherited changes in phenotype (appearance) or gene expression caused by mechanisms other than changes in the underlying DNA sequence. These changes may last for multiple generations. There is no change in the underlying DNA sequence/code of the organism instead, non-genetic factors cause the organism’s genes to behave (or “express themselves”) differently. Epigenetic changes permit adaptation to environmental conditions by silencing or increasing the expression of certain genes. Gene expression is the process by which the DNA code we inherited from our parents (about 30,000 different genes) is converted into a functioning gene product, such as a protein (like an enzyme or a hormone). These studies are done with rats – does this really have any relevance to human beings? Definitely, there are many similarities between the rat models we use and humans in terms of how obesity and diabetes develop. Because it is unethical to perform all of the necessary work in human
