EurekAlert! -- CLEVELAND – A study published in this week’s online issue of Nature Biotechnology, demonstrates a unique and highly sensitive method for detecting methylation-associated cancers. Chemical modification of DNA via the addition or deletion of methyl groups has been established as a common biological means of activating or silencing genes. Abnormal levels of DNA methylation, which effectively disrupt the genes responsible for normal cell cycle regulation, has been implicated in a number of different cancers, and has led to the development of novel cancer biomarkers.
