oa ChIP-chip Investigation of Epigenetic Changes in Response to Various Glucose Environments

With the rise in incidences of Diabetes within the Middle East, it will be important to understand the environmental and genetic components of the disease. Epigenetic changes, including DNA methylation and Histone modifications, can be a response to environmental signals resulting in stable gene expression changes. To begin understanding the epigenetic effects of glucose in the diet we conducted Chromatin Immunoprecipitation followed by tiling array (ChIP-chip) analysis on in vitro cultures of cells grown in varying amounts of glucose. We have investigated the effects on DNA methylation and various Histone methylation levels. Results from this study are presented. Initial results from this study will guide more detailed analysis of the progress of epigenetic changes, their stability, and their possible transmission to future generations.