Epigenetics , the study of changes in gene function that do not involve alterations to the DNA sequence, plays a pivotal role in understanding the complex interplay between genetics and the environment. The review article "Epigenetics and Environmental Health" provides an in-depth analysis of how epigenetic modifications can influence the onset and progression of various diseases, particularly cancer and cardiovascular diseases. These modifications, which include DNA methylation, histone modifications, chromatin remodeling, and RNA modifications, are crucial for maintaining cell identity, proliferation, and differentiation, and are significantly influenced by environmental factors.
The concept of epigenetics was first introduced in 1942, and it has since evolved to become a key branch of biology that explains how genotypes and phenotypes are linked through a complex developmental process. All cells in the body contain the same DNA but can perform different functions, and it is epigenetic information that regulates this variability. Epigenetic modifications are essential for development and gene expression regulation.
They can be activated in response to environmental signals without any changes to the DNA sequence, suggesting a mechanism for cellular adaptation to environmental changes. The review emphasizes that changes in epigenetic patterns often stem from the profound effects of the environment on developmental plasticity. Historically, Hippocrates proposed that character.
