Manel Esteller facts for kids
Manel Esteller is a famous scientist from Catalonia, Spain, born in 1968. He studied medicine at the University of Barcelona and became a doctor in 1992. He then earned a special degree (a doctorate) in 1996, focusing on how genes play a role in certain types of cancer. He also did research in Scotland, where he looked into the genes linked to breast cancer that can be passed down in families.
Today, Dr. Esteller leads important research groups. He is the director of the Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program (PEBC) at the Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research (IDIBELL). He also teaches Genetics at the School of Medicine of the University of Barcelona. Dr. Esteller is also the main editor for a science magazine called Epigenetics.
Contents
What is Epigenetics?
Dr. Esteller's main work is in a field called epigenetics. Imagine you have two identical twins. They start with the exact same genetic sequences, like two identical instruction manuals. But over time, they can become different. One might get sick, and the other might not. Epigenetics helps explain why.
How Epigenetics Works
Epigenetics looks at changes that affect how our genes work, but without changing the actual DNA code itself. Think of it like this: your DNA is a book of instructions. Epigenetic changes are like sticky notes or highlights on the pages. They tell your body which instructions to read more often, less often, or not at all.
- DNA methylation: This is like adding a tiny chemical tag to your DNA. It can turn genes "off" or "on."
- Histone modifications: DNA is wrapped around proteins called histones. Changes to these histones can make the DNA more tightly or loosely packed. This affects whether genes can be read.
These changes can make organisms with the same genes have different features. They can also change how likely someone is to get sick.
Epigenetics and Health
Dr. Esteller believes that understanding epigenetics is very important for our health. He has suggested creating a big map of all the epigenetic marks in our genetic material. This project is called the Human Epigenome Project (HEP).
Epigenetics and Cancer
This research could greatly help people with cancer. In cancer cells, the epigenetic patterns often go wrong. Genes that should be "on" might be "off," and vice versa. The exciting news is that scientists are developing new medicines. These medicines aim to "restore" the normal epigenetic patterns in cells. This could help treat cancer.
Books by Dr. Esteller
Dr. Esteller has also written and edited several books to share his knowledge.
DNA Methylation: Approaches, Methods and Applications
He edited a book called "DNA Methylation: Approaches, Methods and Applications." In this book, he explains how DNA methylation plays a role in diseases, especially cancer. He also shares many research findings and different ideas about DNA methylation in the human body.
Epigenetics in Biology and Medicine
Another book he worked on is "Epigenetics in biology and medicine." Here, he explains the main ideas of epigenetics and new discoveries. He shows how these discoveries can be used in real life. He has explored how epigenetics is connected to diseases, genetic conditions, how our body fights sickness (immunity), and heart problems.
See also
In Spanish: Manel Esteller para niños
