Epigenome Sequencing Lagging Behind DNA

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Epigenome Sequencing Lagging Behind DNA

 

What makes two individuals different? Biologists now know that the

genome

sequence holds only a small part of the answer, and that key elements of

development and disease are controlled by the epigenome--a set of

chemical

modifications, not encoded in DNA, that orchestrate how and when genes

are

expressed.

 

But whereas faster, cheaper and more accurate sequencing technologies

have

developed rapidly, techniques to map the epigenome have lagged behind.

 

Sequencing company Pacific Biosciences, based in Menlo Park, California,

has now developed an integrated system that simultaneously reads a

genome

sequence and detects an important epigenetic marker called DNA

methylation.

 

.... DNA methylation, which reduces gene expression, is linked to key

developmental events, as well as many types of cancer.

 

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