Abstract
Epigenetics is one of the fastest-growing areas of the biological sciences. It' s also a budding industry. This new report offers in-depth analysis of:
- The definition, history, and current status of epigenetics
- Current and potential commercial applications
- An epigenetic approach to cancer etiology
- The epigenetics of noncancerous diseases
- DNA methylation and histone modifications as biomarkers
- The companies involved and their products
- Epigenetic therapeutics: demethylating agents, histone modifications, and combinations
- The drivers of the epigenetics industry, plus recent major industry deals and patent applications
- Results of a quantitative online survey of individuals involved in epigenetics R&D
Epigenetics: Technologies, Applications, and the Commercial Landscape provides an overview of the scientific and technological landscape from which both the diagnostic and therapeutic sectors of the nascent "epigenetics industry" are emerging, plus a qualitative analysis of the scientific, technological, and commercial achievements and challenges facing both sectors.
Biologists are recognizing that to understand human health and disease, they need to know more than the DNA sequence of any genes. Equally, if not more important, they need to know how cells use the information encoded in the genome. That information is essentially stagnant if a gene lies dormant. What turns genes on and off, and under what circumstances? That is what epigenetics is all about: how genomic information encoded in the DNA sequence is regulated by various nonDNA factors. The science and technology of epigenetics are aimed at understanding and, ultimately, manipulating the various chemical and physical chromatin modifications that control gene expression.
This report focuses on the 2 major types of epigenetic control factors:
- DNA methylation patterns formed by the presence of methyl molecules (-CH3) attached to CpG dinucleotides along the entire length of the DNA double helix
- Various covalent modifications to the histone proteins around which the DNA helix is wound
Epigenetics: Technologies, Applications, and the Commercial Landscape is a valuable tool for anyone involved in epigenetics R&D, portfolio management, and commercialization of diagnostics and therapeutics.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 EPIGENETICS TODAY
- 1.1 What Epigenetics is All About
- Epigenetics Defined
- Current and Potential Commercial Applications
- 1.2. DNA Methylation and Histone Modifications: Focus of This Report
- 1.3. The Etiology of Cancer: From a Mutational to Epigenetic Understanding
- Cancer as a Mutational Disease
- An Epigenetic Approach to Cancer Etiology
- 1.4. The Epigenetics of Noncancerous Diseases
- Rett Syndrome
- Schizophrenia
- Alzheimer' s Disease
Chapter 2 DNA METHYLATION BIOMARKERS AND TECHNOLOGY: THE RACE IS ON
- 2.1. The Mechanisms of Epigenetics
- A Focus on DNA Methylation
- Histone Modifications as Biomarkers: A Field in its Infancy
- 2.2. The Power of DNA Methylation: Biomarker or Bust
- Clinical Applications of Methylation Diagnostics
- Major Challenges to Realizing the Potential of Epigenetic Diagnostics: Clinical Validation, Economic
- Validation and Provider Education
- Three Major Challenges to the Market Success of Epigenetic Diagnostics
- 2.3. Homebrew Methylation Testing
- 2.4. Epigenetic Diagnostic Companies
- Epigenomics
- OncoMethylome Sciences
- Orion Genomics
- Interview with Cathy-Lofton Day, PhD
- Vice President of Molecular Biology, Diagnostics
- Epigenomics
- 2.5. DNA Methylation Technology
- Gene-by-Gene Technologies: The Bisulfite Revolution and Beyond
- 2.6. The Future is Genomewide
- DNA Microarrays
- High-Throughput Sequencing
- ChIP-on-chip and ChIP-Seq: Frontrunner Epigenomic Technologies
- Interview with Jeff Falk, PhD
- Director of Technology and Business Applications
- Aviva Systems Biology
- 2.7. DNA Methylation Research Prep Kits and Service Contracts: Making It
Easy
- Companies Who Supply Kits
- QIAGEN
- Zymo Research
- BioChain
- Human Genetic Signatures
- Millipore
- Sigma-Aldrich
- Panomics
- Invitrogen
- Companies and Contract Services
- Interview with Christopher Adams, PhD
- Research Area Manager, Division of Epigenetic
- Invitrogen
- Companies Who Supply Kits
Chapter 3 EPIGENETIC DRUGS: THE RACE TO REVERSE SILENCING
- 3.1. The Dynamic Nature of the Epigenome
- 3.2. Demethylating Agents
- Only 2 FDA-Approved Agents
- Vidaza
- Dacogen
- Major Advantages and Disadvantages of Demethylating Drugs
- Only 2 FDA-Approved Agents
- 3.3 Histone Modifications: Using Drugs to Restore Acetylation
- 3.4. Combination Therapy: Epigenetic Drugs Make Good Partners
- Interview with Donald F. Corcoran
- President and CEO
- MethylGene
Chapter 4 The Business of Epigenetics
- 4.1. What is Driving Industry Interest in Epigenetics?
- New Knowledge
- New Technology
- Dry Pipelines
- Human Disease and Suffering
- 4.2. The "Epigenetics Industry"
- Diagnostics
- Therapeutics
- Research Tools
- 4.3. Industry Snapshot #1: Recent Major Business Deals
- 4.4. Industry Snapshot #2: Recent Patent Applications Related to Epigenetics
Appendix
- Insight Pharma Reports - Epigenetics Survey - January 2008
References
- Company Index with Web Addresses
