What is the significance of genomic imprinting?

Genomic imprinting is significant for several reasons. Genomic imprinting plays a crucial role in regulating the expression of specific genes during development and in adult tissues. This parent-specific expression pattern can impact various physiological processes, including growth, metabolism, and behavior. Dysregulation of imprinted gene expression is associated with several human genetic disorders and developmental abnormalities. Genomic imprinting is also a crucial aspect of inheritance that holds significant importance for future genetic studies, and for managing different diseases. Imprinting also provides information to study developmental processes. Imprinted genes play pivotal roles in prenatal development and placental biology. Furthermore, imprinted genes are prominently expressed in the brain, where they exert influence over a wide array of behaviors from early infancy, including feeding and sleep patterns, to social behaviors in adulthood.