/r/epigenetics

Photograph via snooOG

The study of changes in gene expression or cellular phenotype caused by mechanisms other than changes in the underlying DNA sequence.

In biology, and specifically genetics, epigenetics is the study of changes in gene expression or cellular phenotype, caused by mechanisms other than changes in the underlying DNA sequence – hence the name epi- (Greek: επί- over, above, outer) -genetics, some of which have been shown to be heritable.

--Wikipedia


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/r/epigenetics

7,827 Subscribers

1

Looking for research partner

Hi. I am a master student in medical genetics in “Tabriz university of medical sciences” in “Iran” Im looking for a research partner to communicate and even writing paperes to raise our knowledge. Here is the list of my interested topics Medical genetics Cancer genomics Reproductive genetics Infertility Gene therapy Pharmacogenetics Personalized medicine Epigenetics Neurogenetics

2 Comments
2024/10/30
08:55 UTC

11

Shaking the Snow Globe: Can Psychedelics Reset Trauma’s Epigenetic Marks?

I’ve been digging into how psychedelics like psilocybin might help heal trauma, and it’s amazing to see how many layers are involved—from psychology to epigenetics to consciousness theories. Here’s the analogy that made it click for me: imagine the mind as a snow globe. Each life experience stirs up the “snowflakes” of memories, thoughts, and emotions, which eventually settle into patterns. But trauma creates deep, rigid grooves, locking these snowflakes into fixed paths.

At a biological level, trauma doesn’t just affect the mind; it also leaves epigenetic marks that influence gene expression without altering DNA itself. Think of these marks as grooves in the snow globe, reinforcing stress responses and keeping us in a cycle of reactivity. Psychedelics, like psilocybin, seem to give the mind a “shake,” allowing these patterns to reset and potentially reshaping these epigenetic marks.

A few theories I came across that support this:

  1. Epigenetic Reset – Psychedelics might help “reset” trauma-imprinted gene expression, possibly by promoting neuroplasticity, which opens up more adaptive pathways in the brain.

  2. Restoring Harmony – Trauma throws off mental “harmony.” Psychedelics seem to act like a resonant wave, helping the mind realign and connect to a state of inner balance and healing.

  3. Softening Mental Grooves – Trauma creates deep grooves in the brain’s “sand garden.” Psychedelics smooth out these pathways, freeing us from repetitive trauma-based reactions.

  4. Creating Stable Change – People report lasting effects from psychedelics. Some researchers think psychedelics help form stable, resilient mental patterns, “anchoring” us in healthier ways of thinking.

  5. Quantum Coherence – A bit heady, but there’s a theory that psychedelics might help synchronize particles in our brains, aligning thoughts and memories in a clearer, more unified way.

All these ideas combined suggest psychedelics could heal trauma by reshaping the biological and mental patterns trauma leaves behind, breaking us out of old cycles. Would love to hear if anyone else has explored this or come across studies in this area!

Psychedelics shaking up trauma and reordering consciousness

2 Comments
2024/10/26
18:29 UTC

4

Using Calculus to calculate gene expression

Hey there everyone,

Does anyone have any resources for using calculus to calculate gene expression?

Full disclosure, I'm doing a project for school and I have come across some resources via Google, but wanted to check here too!

Thanks in advance ☺️

0 Comments
2024/10/16
02:10 UTC

8

The Role of Psilocybin in Trauma Healing and Its Epigenetic Implications

I want to discuss the intriguing role of psilocybin in healing trauma, particularly for people dealing with PTSD and seeking emotional recovery. This isn't about recreational use or regular microdosing for an altered or artificial sense of wellness; instead, I’m referring to deep, intentional journeys that confront the roots of trauma and promote genuine healing.

Psilocybin has the potential to facilitate profound experiences that allow us to explore and resolve the underlying issues contributing to trauma. This process leverages the brain's neuroplasticity, which helps to repattern thought processes and emotional responses. Imagine shaking a snow globe—during a psilocybin experience, old patterns can be disrupted, allowing for new, healthier ones to settle in.

What’s particularly fascinating is the potential epigenetic impact of these experiences. The insights gained during psilocybin journeys can influence gene expression related to stress and trauma. By addressing the psychological roots of trauma, psilocybin may help reshape not only mental patterns but also how our bodies respond to stress at a genetic level.

Exploring the therapeutic potential of psilocybin in trauma healing represents an exciting shift in our understanding of emotional wellness and its biological underpinnings. It offers a pathway not only to cope with symptoms but also to fundamentally transform our relationship with past experiences.

What are your thoughts on this intersection of psilocybin and epigenetics. Have you explored the therapeutic aspects of psilocybin? What are your insights on its potential for meaningful change in trauma healing? Let’s discuss!

#Psilocybin #Epigenetics #TraumaHealing #PTSD #Neuroplasticity

6 Comments
2024/10/13
19:50 UTC

2

Data QC question (MethylationEPIC v2) - empty/water sample got a call rate >20%?

0 Comments
2024/10/06
20:51 UTC

2

SDH gene and familial tumors

Thought this was interesting (if not also serious)

My dad had recurring glomus jugulare tumors that were removed for ten years (25+ operations in total, including feeding tube, revisions etc) until one metastasized and he passed away.

This is where it gets interesting. My sister now has tumors on both of her adrenals, and one gland will be removed next month and the tumor biopsied.

I was doing research because that feels so.... statistically improbable after being told what my dad had "wasn't genetic". Granted, he was initially diagnosed in the 90s and passed away in 2005.

It seems like both conditions might be related to the SDH gene, yet it expressed in different ways. I'm by no means a researcher but it seems the most probable gene. I'm encouraging my sister to get a good cancer genetic screening to learn about her variants, partially out of curiosity but also because it may give insight.

She's under good medical care, so I'm not attempting a diagnosis here. I might just be over rationalizing since it's a bit scary but I can't help but be intrigued. I always felt like it had to be genetic, even as a kid, because genes tell the body what to do, so something in the genes kept telling his body to do this bad thing, over and over again!

I'm so curious to know what type of tumor she has. I'm near certain it's not a glomus, which would be research study worthy 😆. She also has PCOS and Hashimoto thyroiditis, so she's exhausted. She's had some bad luck.

Anyway, if anyone has insight into SDH I'd love to hear about it

8 Comments
2024/10/03
11:44 UTC

5

Online Courses

Hi, I'm interested in the subject and would like to take a course to start learning. Are there any good online courses/books that would be a good place to start?

1 Comment
2024/10/03
10:54 UTC

6

I have a research assistant interview, but no degree in biology or relevant experience. How do I prepare?

Hey everyone, advice is very much appreciated here. So for context, I have an interview/chat set up with a PI at my nearby state university to talk about his research and the potential of me working in his lab. I graduated from a small catholic university in May 2024 with a degree in data science. I have been extremely interested in epigenetics/behavioral nutrition for years, but there were very limited options for programs and/or research at my uni because it was so small (less than 2000). Hence the reason I went into data science, because I knew it would be really helpful for me to understand analysis and machine learning because it is such an important part of the research process. The most relevant research that I have is an investigating the gut microbiome brain axis as a potential treatment cite for ADHD.

Anyway, I have been following this PI's work for awhile, and he does SUPER cool shit. His lab works with investigating epigenetic mechanisms/markers that are associated with neurological conditions, as well as the environmental factors that influence them. Additionally, he also works primarily with the NHPI (native Hawaiian pacific islander) community. I have been actively self studying epigenetics for years on and off, as it is just something that I find extremely fascinating. However, I am afraid I don't know how to talk about it on a technical level enough. I'm looking for advice on how to seem knowledgable, while also being honest that I do not have a formal education in biology but can offer a valuable skill set of analysis and R coding

0 Comments
2024/09/21
07:22 UTC

3

Lifestyle epigenetics (Pod episode)

Thought you may find it interesting: a pod episode with PhD in molecular biology who talks about many concepts in the field of epigenetics:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9k1jGUk78o&t=2701s

0 Comments
2024/09/09
13:44 UTC

2

X chromosome probably in mosaic,

Hello, first of all, I’m sorry if my English is not good, I’m from Spain and I’m going to use a translator. I have a difficult situation, I had to abort my son in week 34 because of a serious problem, his father and I are carriers of the same gene and we didn’t know. Now I have become pregnant again and in week 12 they did the CVS to rule out the carrier gene, they did the qf-pcr, array and karyotype tests. They called me at 48 that qf-pcr went well 18,13,21 and sex XX, 10 days later they called me for the array, they told me to go to consultation that they had to talk to me... the gene was not in the girl but in array result it said this (RESULT AND INTERPRETATION:

Arr [GRCh38] (X) xl[?]. The lack of a chromosome is observed

Sexual in the chorial villos sample received,

Surely in mosaic,

That clinically would correspond to a

Turner syndrome.

CONCLUSIONS:

The lack of a sex chromosome has been identified, on the other

X chromosome probably in mosaic,

Compatibie with Turner syndrome) • Because there may be mosaics confined to the placenta,

We recommend the study of the sample of

Amniotic fluid to confirm the result. The doctor

You can also evaluate the ultrasound findings

To relate them to the result of the study carried out)

The doctor told me that I needed to do an amniocentesis to determine if I was in the placenta or if I was also in a baby. The following week we went to a major ultrasound to look for some ecographic defect and everything was normal and with the surprise that the long-growing karyotype arrived and here I leave the result: (Karyotype (chorial cell): Chromosomal formula

46, XX

No chromosomal alteration has been detected. Compatible with a normal female karyotype

LONG CULTIVATION

Cytogenetic study carried out on chorial villi, with a

Resolution of 300 bands. No numerical anomalies or

Structural.

CHROMOSOMAL FORMULA: 46,XX

Prenatal cytogenetic studies in chorionic villi

Present mosaicisms confined to the placenta in a low

Proportion of analysis. If abnormalities are observed in the ultrasound

Fetal and/or the results of the cytogenetic study and the QF-PCR

And/or the array-CGH are concordants, then the probability of

Mosaicism is even more reduced. Yes, as in this case, I don’t know

Comply with the above assumptions, it would be advisable to carry out

An amniocentesis to confirm the result with karyotype,

QF-PCR and perform an ultrasound follow-up)

15 days ago I had amniocentesis and the first qf-pcr results are normal again but without array response, I have been desperate and sunk for 8 months to ask my son and now I am 18 weeks I do not want to suffer the same thing again. What opinion can you give me? Thank you

0 Comments
2024/09/08
23:09 UTC

4

6y Younger Horvath Epigenetic Age: My Best Data Yet (16-Test Analysis)

0 Comments
2024/09/08
12:24 UTC

2

Hdac inhibitor epigenetic changes

If hdac inhibitors open chromatin structure to increase gene expression, can increasing methylation decrease gene expression of the same genes? Ie could increased methylation counteract the epigenet7c changes from hdac inhibitors?

0 Comments
2024/09/05
06:24 UTC

1

Changing epigenetics

Have humans deliberately changed epigenetics?

8 Comments
2024/09/04
19:01 UTC

6

Genomics and Proteomics

I am currently a "pre sciences" major at my school who plans to pursue Neuroscience as a degree so I can enter this field.

The lab I'm currently doing research in isn't necessarily epigenetics centered but students do have the option to pursue their own research, which I plan to do.

I'm planning to take a class in Genomics and Proteomics as a way to build relevant knowledge. Is this a good choice in class if I'm trying to prepare for research in this field?

Thanks in advance!

4 Comments
2024/09/01
06:16 UTC

1

Epigenetics question

(19M)Can I use epigenetics to grow taller,and if so how can i trigger the epigenetics

7 Comments
2024/08/18
11:08 UTC

2

If a family worked in fields for several generations, would the offspring eventually be born tan as a result?

In east asia families that are darker are seen as lower class bc they worked fields while paler asians stayed inside. Would a family, where many generations work in sunlight for majority of the day, eventually start producing tan kids bc of epigenetics ?

3 Comments
2024/07/02
22:49 UTC

5

Does the methylome predict the transcriptome?

Is anyone aware of studies showing a strong relationship between the methylome of a sample and its transcriptome? Can one be used to make inferences of the other?

2 Comments
2024/07/01
14:32 UTC

2

Question?

If I look identical to a couple relatives. And have gone through similar events (I take it not as extreme. There are books about these men) and a similar personality, perhaps I’m a bit more autistic, would my iq be more likely to be the same as there’s?

0 Comments
2024/06/29
14:11 UTC

3

Tests

Hello, I’m pretty new to this epigenetics world and was wondering if there’s any good tests that one could get done to get a picture of current health/predisposed conditions and recommendations on supplements/how to prevent the gene expression. Preferably affordable. Thanks!

9 Comments
2024/06/25
22:54 UTC

0

Does taking or workout negatively affect my epigenetic?

4 Comments
2024/06/19
21:22 UTC

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