The Epigenome: Current Knowledge and Its Implications

In June 2007, just prior to the European Leadership Forum that was held in Eger, Hungary, the first academic paper regarding the ENCODE project was published. This research reported unexpected results. Up to that point, it was generally believed that only about 2% of the human genome was functional, functionality being understood in terms of RNA transcription from a DNA template. The 2% represented the protein-coding genes; the rest was often dismissed as "junk", simply a relic of evolutionary history. ENCODE has changed all of that. Much more detail of ENCODE has been published and it is now apparent that at least 80% of the genome is functional. In other words, the vast proportion of DNA has the potential to be transcribed and modified. The majority of DNA is involved in the highly coordinated and exquisite control of gene expression. Genes are turned on and turned off, and, although every nucleated cell in the human body has all the information encoded in its DNA, only certain genes are operational in any particular differentiated cell with its specific functions. This encrypted information and sophisticated control resides in what has been called the Epigenome. During this highly illustrated talk, the speaker brings us up to date with current knowledge. We also discuss the implications of these new findings for Darwinism and Design.