Epigenetics Protocols (Methods in Molecular Biology, 287)

The field of epigenetics has grown exponentially in the past decade, and a steady flow of exciting discoveries in this area has served to move it to the forefront of molecular biology. Although epigenetics may previously have been considered a peripheral science, recent advances have shown considerable progress in unraveling the many mysteries of nontraditional genetic processes. Given the fast pace of epigenetic discoveries and the groundbreaking nature of these developments, a thorough treatment of the methods in the area seems timely and appropriate and is the goal of Epigenetics Protocols. The scope of epigenetics is vast, and an exhaustive analysis of all of the techniques employed by investigators would be unrealistic. However, this ™ volume of Methods in Molecular Biology covers three main areas that should be of greatest interest to epigenetics investigators: (1) techniques related to analysis of chromatin remodeling, such as histone acetylation and methylation; (2) methods in newly developed and especially promising areas of epigenetics such as telomere position effects, quantitative epigenetics, and ADP ribosylation; and (3) an updated analysis of techniques involving DNA methylation and its role in the modification, as well as the maintenance, of chromatin structure.

Recent advances in epigenetic research as well as the development of exciting new technologies have helped greatly in unraveling the many mysteries of nontraditional genetic processes. In Epigenetics Protocols, hands-on researchers describe state-of-the-art methods for epigenetic analysis, including recent breakthrough techniques that have great potential in the rapidly expanding field of non-Mendelian genetics. The authors provide techniques for the analysis of chromatin remodeling, such as histone acetylation and methylation. In addition, methods in newly developed and especially promising areas of epigenetics, such as telomere position effects, quantitative epigenetics, and ADP ribosylation are covered. There is also an updated analysis of techniques involving DNA methylation and its role in the modification, as well as the maintenance, of chromatin structure. Of special interest are potentially revolutionary techniques. These include methods for determining changes in native chromatin, methods of microarray analysis applied to epigenetics, and methylation-sensitive single-strand conformation techniques. The methods are suitable not only for studying fundamental biological processes, but also for investigating possible therapeutic interventions and such diseases as cancer. The protocols follow the successful Methods in Molecular Biology™ series format, each one offering step-by-step laboratory instructions, an introduction outlining the principle behind the technique, lists of the necessary equipment and reagents, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.
Comprehensive and easy to use, Epigenetics Protocols offers investigators readily reproducible techniques that will further promote progress in this critically important field.