The epigenome consists of a system of chemical tags that attach to our DNA and its associated molecules, switching genes on and off. But the system is not without glitches-and scientists think that the misplacement of these tags can cause disease. This idea has led to new drugs that aim to correct gene activity (and obliterate disease) by altering the proteins around which DNA winds. Cassandra Willyard examines whether this approach will unlock the long-awaited promise of epigenetic therapy.
表观基因组由一套化学标记组成，这些标记附着在我们的 DNA 及其相关分子上，开启和关闭基因。但这个系统并非完美无缺——科学家认为，这些标记的错位可能导致疾病。这一观点催生了旨在通过改变 DNA 缠绕的蛋白质来修正基因活性（并消除疾病）的新药。Cassandra Willyard 探讨了这种方法是否能兑现人们对表观遗传学治疗法的殷切期望。
