Reading Genes

The Human Genome Project successfully decoded our genetic heritage. Since then science has discovered that most of this material lies unused within our cells. Epigenetics – how genes switch on and off – is paving the way for advances in regenerative medicine and stem cell research. Professor Wendy Bickmore here explains how two metres of the same genetic material gets packed into each body cell, inside a space narrower than a hundredth of a millimeter. It has to be highly folded. Many genes can’t then be reached by the machinery that ‘reads’ them and translates them into active proteins. So, folding affects which genes get switched on or off. When the wrong genes switch on or off cancer can result. Wendy’s research team looked at human chromosome 16. DNA in this region is folded differently in breast cancer cells than normal cells. Now they are trying to find out why.

Written by Brona McVittie

Brona McVittie

Writer/Consultant

Independent science blogger and musician. Got the whole BPoD show on the road while heading up the public engagement team at the MRC CSC. Loves gardening, cooking and diving. Makes corkbots too.

• Strictly Science is a 10-day free public exhibition being held at Imperial College London, exploring the past, present and future of medical research
• Kiki von Glasow, Palladio Films
• PEMG, MRC Clinical Sciences Centre