Epigenetics and Health - by Michelle McCulley (Paperback)

About the Book

"This book will explore selected epigenetic phenomena as applied to human health and disease. It will investigate how, through epigenetic mechanisms, our genome is responsive to a wide range of environmental influences including nutrition, toxins and social circumstances. The mechanisms controlling these effects and their phenotypic outcomes will be covered. By the end of the book the reader should understand the differences between genetic and epigenetic influences on gene expression, the range of epigenetic mechanisms used to regulate gene expression, how epigenetic modifications are propagated, and the phenotypic consequences for health and disease. The scope will cover various mechanisms of epigenetic regulation, including DNA methylation and post-translational modification of histones, and the roles of chromatin-assembly modifying complexes, non-coding RNAs and nuclear organization. The book will draw on the most recent examples from current research in the field of epigenetics and encourage the reader to question, analyse and critically appraise literature to further develop and apply their understanding to their own area of interest. Emphasis will be placed on critical analysis of the scientific literature, helping the reader understand how to identify important biological problems and how to address them experimentally. The content will range from older classical papers to more recent papers that utilize cutting-edge genomic techniques"--

Book Synopsis

An incisive and contemporary discussion of epigenetic phenomena applied to human health and disease

Epigenetics and Health: A Practical Guide delivers a thorough and insightful exploration of the basic principles of gene function, gene regulation, and gene expression. The author explains how epigenetic modifications alter gene expression and demonstrate the role played by environmental factors--including nutrition, exercise, toxins, and stress--in gene regulation, as well as their potential health consequences.

The book presents current methods for analyzing epigenetic variation, including NGS applications and bioinformatic analysis.

Readers will be encouraged to question, analyze, and critically appraise the literature on epigenetics to further develop their understanding. They'll also find:

• Explorations of epigenetic mechanisms, homeostasis, and the potential for manipulating the epigenome
• Practical discussions of methods for epigenetic analyses
• How to address cancer epigenetics, mental health epigenetics, and guidance on developing an epigenetics research project

Epigenetics and Health: A Practical Guide will benefit practicing geneticists and medical geneticists seeking insights into epigenetic phenomena applied to human health and disease.

"This book successfully conveys that we are in the early stages of understanding epigenetic phenomena, and McCulley admirably explains why this new discipline is important, even if significant hurdles remain before we understand enough about epigenetics to use that information when designing medical or nutritional/lifestyle interventions."
--David S. Moore, The Quarterly Review of Biology, March 2025, Volume 100, Number 1 pp. 43-44

From the Back Cover

An incisive and contemporary discussion of epigenetic phenomena applied to human health and disease

Epigenetics and Health: A Practical Guide delivers a thorough and insightful exploration of the basic principles of gene function, gene regulation, and gene expression. The author explains how epigenetic modifications alter gene expression and demonstrate the role played by environmental factors--including nutrition, exercise, toxins, and stress--in gene regulation, as well as their potential health consequences.

The book presents current methods for analyzing epigenetic variation, including NGS applications and bioinformatic analysis.

Readers will be encouraged to question, analyze, and critically appraise the literature on epigenetics to further develop their understanding. They'll also find:

• Explorations of epigenetic mechanisms, homeostasis, and the potential for manipulating the epigenome
• Practical discussions of methods for epigenetic analyses
• How to address cancer epigenetics, mental health epigenetics, and guidance on developing an epigenetics research project

Epigenetics and Health: A Practical Guide will benefit practicing geneticists and medical geneticists seeking insights into epigenetic phenomena applied to human health and disease.

About the Author

Michelle McCulley, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine at the University of Otago in New Zealand. Her research is focused on the epigenetic regulation of our genes, particularly as it relates to environment, health, and disease.