Epigenetics and primary care

Epigenetics, the study of functionally relevant chemical modifications to DNA that do not involve a change in the DNA nucleotide sequence, is at the interface between research and clinical medicine. Research on epigenetic marks, which regulate gene expression independently of the underlying genetic...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Pediatrics (Evanston) 2013-12, Vol.132 (Suppl 3), p.S216-S223
Main Authors: Wright, Robert, Saul, Robert A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Child
Deoxyribonucleic acid
DNA
Epigenesis, Genetic - genetics
Epigenetics
Epigenomics
Gene-Environment Interaction
Genes
Humans
Pediatrics
Pediatrics - methods
Primary care
Primary Health Care - methods
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Summary:Epigenetics, the study of functionally relevant chemical modifications to DNA that do not involve a change in the DNA nucleotide sequence, is at the interface between research and clinical medicine. Research on epigenetic marks, which regulate gene expression independently of the underlying genetic code, has dramatically changed our understanding of the interplay between genes and the environment. This interplay alters human biology and developmental trajectories, and can lead to programmed human disease years after the environmental exposure. In addition, epigenetic marks are potentially heritable. In this article, we discuss the underlying concepts of epigenetics and address its current and potential applicability for primary care providers.
ISSN:0031-4005
1098-4275
DOI:10.1542/peds.2013-1032F