FUND IN TRANSLATION: Genes For The Future - Epigenetics, Part II

摘要

True genetics fans will remember from last month that epigenetic ('above the genome') mechanisms help turn whole blocks of genes on and off. This is important when going halfway is not good enough, as in queen production, where individuals that are halfway between queens and workers (inter-castes) are not great at being either. As promised, this month I will review recent research that suggests this ability to coordinate lots of genes at once is not a short-term switch but can last much of the lifetime of a bee and even change things for his or her offspring.