What Is an Epigenome?

Epigenomes (genetic modifiers) are tiny chemical compounds that attach to our DNA, and they play a crucial role in regulating gene activity. Epigenomic modifications, for example, may shut off or turn on a gene or control protein production in particular cells.

Epigenomes effectively “mark” genomes, not to change the DNA sequence but to change the way cells use the DNA’s instructions. These marks can pass to other cells and they can also be passed down through family lines

Epigenomic Marks

There are two epigenomic marks that can occur in the epigenome. The first mark is called DNA methylation, which directly affects the DNA strand. Proteins (methyl groups) attach to the DNA base and change interactions between the DNA and other proteins.

The second type of mark is a histone modification that indirectly affects DNA. DNA strands are surrounded by histone proteins that form a protective barrier around the strand. New proteins attach to chemical tags that then attach to the histones, modifying the histone to “turn on and off” instead of the DNA.

What Is Epigenome Sequencing

Epigenome sequencing is the process of examining epigenomic modifications within our DNA. Genetic disorders, metabolic disorders, cancers and degenerative diseases have all been linked to epigenomic errors, and therefore, examining the epigenome may help predict or confirm the cause of a disease or disorder.

In our tests, we can analyze these epigenomic errors, which can help to identify irregular gene activity that may cause or increase the risk for genetic disorders or disease.

Epigenome Sequencing vs Genome Sequencing

Epigenome sequencing focuses on the epigenomic (heritable) genetic modifications that aren’t attributed to changes in the primary DNA sequence. Where epigenomics looks at genetic modifications, genome sequencing figures out the order of the DNA nucleotides (As, Cs, Gs and Ts) that make up our DNA.