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Basic Concepts in Molecular Biology Related to Genetics and Epigenetics
Dolores Corella1, Jose M Ordovas2
1Departamento de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain; CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
Revista Espanola De Cardiologia (English Ed.)
|June 18, 2017
Summary
Precision medicine tailors treatments to your unique genetic makeup. Understanding genetics and epigenetics, including environmental impacts, is key to preventing diseases like cardiovascular disease.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Epigenetics
Background:
- The "one size does not fit all" approach in disease treatment necessitates personalized strategies.
- Precision medicine aims to optimize interventions based on an individual's genetic profile.
- The human genome's gene expression is influenced by the epigenome and environmental factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a general perspective on genetics and epigenetics in molecular biology.
- To explain the role of epigenetics and environmental factors in cardiovascular health.
- To offer a methodological overview of gene-environment interactions.
Main Methods:
- Review of basic molecular biology concepts.
- Explanation of genetic polymorphisms and risk scores for cardiovascular disease.
- Overview of epigenetic regulators (DNA methylation, histone modifications, micro-RNAs).
Main Results:
- Genetic variations and scores are linked to cardiovascular risk.
- Epigenetic mechanisms like DNA methylation and histone modifications are crucial regulators.
- Environmental factors significantly influence the epigenome, impacting cardiovascular phenotypes.
Conclusions:
- Genetics and epigenetics are fundamental to precision medicine.
- Understanding gene-environment interactions is vital for personalized cardiovascular disease prevention.
- Further research is needed to elucidate how environmental factors modify the epigenome for health outcomes.
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