To infinity and beyond...genomics

Freedom by Anthony Hamilton & Elayna Boynton from Django Unchained

In the words of Dr. Raul Urrutia, an epigeneticist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota "DNA gives us the potential to be who we are, but Epigenomics transform this potential into the reality of who we are."

The human genome project was an incredible achievement in the history of science and advanced our understanding of the molecular basis of life and evolution. With the promise of revolutionizing medical diagnoses and treatments, the collection of genomic data and subsequent analysis is leading the slowly emerging personalized and individualized medical field, but is really just the tip of the iceberg in terms of fully comprehending the molecular complexities of disease and therapies.

http://commonfund.nih.gov/epigenomics/figure.aspx

Thinking about the development of a human, our DNA when we are an embryo is largely the same as the DNA when we are babies which is the same as our adult DNA. Despite this genetic consistency, we take on drastically different forms at various life stages. These changes, not due to alterations in the genetic code, are dictated by other heritable traits responsible for the correct level, place, and time of gene expression. These Epi(above)-genetic factors constitute the link between the changing environment and the cell's ability for adaptation.

While exceedingly complex and difficult to research, breakthroughs in epigenetics are sure to improve our understanding of the molecular regulation of cellular processes, and bring us closer to solving health issues ranging from infection and disease to degeneration and aging.