Epigenome

The epigenome ("epi", Greek = above) refers to the totality of all epigenetic information. It is a kind of second code that lies above the genetic information of the cell, the genome. This code can give the genes a kind of "memory" that influences their activity in the long term and can also be inherited. Above all, external influences - stress and environmental toxins - as well as nutrition shape the epigenetic programming of our cells.

All cells in the human body have the same genetic information. However, cells actually develop into more than 250 different, highly specialized cell types. This diversity is based on mechanisms that activate certain genes in the different cell types and deactivate others. Genes and the proteins that encase them are chemically modified, but the genetic information itself is not changed. The epigenetic information can be found in different codes. Three of the best-researched codes are RNA interference, DNA methylation and histone modification. Chromatin and covalent DNA methylation are the most important and best-studied mediators. The type of three-dimensional folding of the genetic material also contributes to controlling the expression of genes. It has been shown that the epigenome behaves dynamically and can react to environmental influences. This is not only limited to the period of exposure, but can also be detected later in life. It is therefore clear that exposure to different environmental factors can lead to inter-individual phenotypic differences as well as different susceptibilities to diseases and behavioral pathologies.