What does epigenome do?

While the human genome contains the genetic instructions encoded in DNA, the epigenome can attach to DNA and regulate the activation or deactivation of genes, thereby controlling the production of proteins in specific cells. These chemical marks on the DNA do not modify its sequence but can alter the way cells interpret and utilize the genetic instructions. These marks can be inherited as cells divide and can also be passed from parents to offspring, contributing to individual and generational traits.

Although all the cells in a human body contain the same genetic information in their nuclei, their distinct functions and characteristics are determined by the specific sets of genes that are activated or deactivated at different times. For example, cells in the eye activate genes responsible for light detection, while red blood cells activate genes involved in oxygen transport. The epigenome plays a key role in modulating these variations by controlling how the genetic instructions are utilized in different cell types, thereby contributing to the diverse functions of specialized cells throughout the body.