Epigenetic Changes in Cancer
The study of how covalent marks on DNA and histones are involved in the origin and spread of cancer cells is also leading to new therapeutic strategies.
By Manel EstellerMarch 2011
Table of Contents
Cover Story
Features
Epigenetics—A Primer
By Stefan KubicekThere are many ways that epigenetic effects regulate the activation or repression of genes. Here are a few molecular tricks cells use to read off the right genetic program.
Environmental Impact
By David BerrebyResearch in behavioral epigenetics is seeking evidence
that links experience to biochemistry to gene expression
and back out again.
Best Places to Work Postdocs, 2011
By Cristina LuiggiSetting up your own scientific laboratory is no easy task, but this year’s respondents are using their postdoc experiences to prepare for the challenge.
Departments
Editorial
Epigenetics and Society
By Andrew D. EllingtonDid Erasmus Darwin foreshadow the tweaking of his grandson’s paradigm?
Notebook
Character Flaws?
By Vanessa SchipaniTwo lizard taxonomists champion the use of Bayesian species delimitation to settle taxonomic debates.
Imprinting Diversity
By Cristina LuiggiJoachim Messing talks about how genomic imprinting may be a strong driver of diversity.
Resistant to Failure
By Cristina LuiggiA Duke University researcher survives a sticky situation at a federal research institution to make major strides in determining the genetic roots of Staphylococcus aureus antibiotic resistance.
Mitotic Hijacker
By Richard P. GrantHow a parasite sneakily ensures its own replication
Top 7 From F1000
A snapshot of the highest-ranked articles from March on Faculty of 1000
Speaking of Science
Speaking of Science
March 2011′s selection of notable quotes
Thought Experiment
The Mark of Faith
By Robert E. KingstonTesting a central tenet of epigenetic regulation
Critic At Large
Another Revolution Needed?
By Fahd Al-MullaCounting the many plagues that threaten research in the Middle East and North Africa region
The Literature
The Footprints of Winter
By Ralf Müller and Justin GoodrichEpigenetic marks laid down during the cold months of the year allow flowering in spring and summer.
Come Inside
By Richard P. GrantEditor’s Choice in Immunology
Bitter Pill
By Richard P. GrantEditor’s Choice in Drug Discovery
Calcium Kicks
By Richard P. GrantEditor’s Choice in Physiology
Reading Frames
The Birds and the Bees
By Tim BirkheadA recent book exposes what Darwin got wrong about sexual behavior in birds, and what his error tells us about the evolution of scientific knowledge.
Book excerpt from The Wisdom of Birds
By Tim BirkheadIn Chapter 9, “Darwin in Denial,” author Tim Birkhead explains how Darwin’s failure to recognize avian female promiscuity resulted in a century of misconceptions about sexual selection
Profile
Ready, Reset, Go
By Karen HopkinRudolf Jaenisch enjoys climbing mountains, rafting rapids, and unraveling the secrets of pluripotency—knowledge that could someday lead to personalized regenerative medicine.
Scientist to Watch
Ted Cohen: Travelling for TB
By Amy MaxmenAssistant professor, Department of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health. Age: 37
Lab Tools
Sequence Analysis 101
By Jeffrey M. PerkelA newbie’s guide to crunching next-generation sequencing data
Careers
Taking Time for Baby
By Bob GrantHaving a child changes everything. But it doesn’t necessarily have to disrupt your research while you’re out on leave.
Capsule Reviews
Capsule Reviews
By Bob GrantAsleep, The Restless Plant, Genetics of Original Sin, Disease Maps
Foundations
Medicinal Alchemy, circa 1512
By Cristina LuiggiDuring the Middle Ages, alchemists developed sophisticated ways to tap the medicinal powers of the Earth’s bounty. Liber de Arte Distillandi, published in 1512, is a layman’s guide to the preparation of these natural medicines.
Contributors
Contributors
Meet some of the people featured in the March 2011 issue of The Scientist.
Multimedia
Cancer and the Epigenome
By Manel EstellerIn cancer cells the epigenetic landscape is highly altered. Hypermethylation of certain stretches of DNA is the most well-studied epigenetic…
Epigenetics—A Primer
By Stefan KubicekEpigenetic events regulate the activities of genes without changing the DNA sequence. Different genes are expressed depending on the methyl-marks…
