Epigenetics: Technologies, Applications, and the Commercial Landscape

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 EPIGENETICS TODAY

• 1.1 What Epigenetics is All About
  • Epigenetics Defined
  • Current and Potential Commercial Applications
• 1.2. DNA Methylation and Histone Modifications: Focus of This Report
• 1.3. The Etiology of Cancer: From a Mutational to Epigenetic Understanding
  • Cancer as a Mutational Disease
  • An Epigenetic Approach to Cancer Etiology
• 1.4. The Epigenetics of Noncancerous Diseases
  • Rett Syndrome
  • Schizophrenia
  • Alzheimer' s Disease

Chapter 2 DNA METHYLATION BIOMARKERS AND TECHNOLOGY: THE RACE IS ON

• 2.1. The Mechanisms of Epigenetics
  • A Focus on DNA Methylation
  • Histone Modifications as Biomarkers: A Field in its Infancy
• 2.2. The Power of DNA Methylation: Biomarker or Bust
  • Clinical Applications of Methylation Diagnostics
  • Major Challenges to Realizing the Potential of Epigenetic Diagnostics: Clinical Validation, Economic
  • Validation and Provider Education
  • Three Major Challenges to the Market Success of Epigenetic Diagnostics
• 2.3. Homebrew Methylation Testing
• 2.4. Epigenetic Diagnostic Companies
  • Epigenomics
  • OncoMethylome Sciences
  • Orion Genomics
    • Interview with Cathy-Lofton Day, PhD
    • Vice President of Molecular Biology, Diagnostics
    • Epigenomics
• 2.5. DNA Methylation Technology
  • Gene-by-Gene Technologies: The Bisulfite Revolution and Beyond
• 2.6. The Future is Genomewide
  • DNA Microarrays
  • High-Throughput Sequencing
  • ChIP-on-chip and ChIP-Seq: Frontrunner Epigenomic Technologies
    • Interview with Jeff Falk, PhD
    • Director of Technology and Business Applications
    • Aviva Systems Biology
• 2.7. DNA Methylation Research Prep Kits and Service Contracts: Making It Easy
  • Companies Who Supply Kits
    • QIAGEN
    • Zymo Research
    • BioChain
    • Human Genetic Signatures
    • Millipore
    • Sigma-Aldrich
    • Panomics
    • Invitrogen
  • Companies and Contract Services
    • Interview with Christopher Adams, PhD
    • Research Area Manager, Division of Epigenetic
    • Invitrogen

Chapter 3 EPIGENETIC DRUGS: THE RACE TO REVERSE SILENCING

• 3.1. The Dynamic Nature of the Epigenome
• 3.2. Demethylating Agents
  • Only 2 FDA-Approved Agents
    • Vidaza
    • Dacogen
  • Major Advantages and Disadvantages of Demethylating Drugs
• 3.3 Histone Modifications: Using Drugs to Restore Acetylation
• 3.4. Combination Therapy: Epigenetic Drugs Make Good Partners
  • Interview with Donald F. Corcoran
  • President and CEO
  • MethylGene

Chapter 4 The Business of Epigenetics

• 4.1. What is Driving Industry Interest in Epigenetics?
  • New Knowledge
  • New Technology
  • Dry Pipelines
  • Human Disease and Suffering
• 4.2. The "Epigenetics Industry"
  • Diagnostics
  • Therapeutics
  • Research Tools
• 4.3. Industry Snapshot #1: Recent Major Business Deals
• 4.4. Industry Snapshot #2: Recent Patent Applications Related to Epigenetics

Appendix

• Insight Pharma Reports - Epigenetics Survey - January 2008

References

• Company Index with Web Addresses