Epigenetics, Cancer and Biomarkers

The Epigenetics Research Laboratory at the Garvan Institute in Sydney has released the last two in a series of four sketch videos about epigenetics, created by Armando Hasudungan in collaboration with Professor Susan Clark and Dr Kate Patterson. They have been created for a broad, non-expert audience to highlight key messages about the role epigenetics plays in biological processes like development and diseases such as cancer.

Epigenetics & Cancer

In normal cells, two epigenetic processes -DNA methylation and DNA de-methylation- are maintained in a delicate balance. This balance is disrupted in cancer, causing overall DNA instability.

Epigenetics & Biomarkers

Knowing specific epigenetic patterns for specific cancer types can provide biomarkers for detection and prognosis, and potentially help develop new therapies for cancer patients.

Read more about epigenetics on our What is epigenetics? page.