And other biomarkers with certain limitations. For their part, epigenetic biomarkers have been shown to overcome many of these limitations. Among them, it is worth highlighting its stability in fluids (urine, serum, plasma, saliva, etc.), in dried blood drops, in cell cultures or in frozen tissues. Another advantage of epigenetic biomarkers is that they provide information on the history of a disease , that is, how the subjects' diet, lifestyle or environment influence the expression of a gene involved in cellular homeostasis. What do epigenetic biomarkers determine?
They are widely used in human genetics as they help link an inherited disease to the responsible gene. Broadly speaking, they have several applications: following the inheritance of a character difficult to detect elaborate genetic maps study of genetic variability evolutionary studies of diseases diagnosis of diseases response of a patient to a certain pharmacological e commerce photo editing service treatment for example, epigenetic biomarkers by means of liquid biopsy constitute a precision tool in the field of oncology since they allow a faster and more precise diagnosis and a better selection of pharmacological treatment. The national cancer institute is continuously working on this line of research. Clinical trials have shown that epigenetic factors play a key role in tumor development.
Another example would be the role that epigenetic biomarkers have been shown to have in the screening of cardiovascular diseases for the detection of subjects in subclinical phases of the disease. Specifically, through a micro-rna (mirna)-based blood test, the clinical professional is provided with valuable information for the correct approach to the patient. What is the future of epigenetic biomarkers? All the research carried out around epigenetic biomarkers is committed to the